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On 14 August 2025, Binance reopened access to its suite of “Earn” products for eligible users in the UK following regulatory approval. Binance’s ongoing compliance reset is to mainly restore access to its full range of Binance Earn offerings for qualifying UK investors. “Professional investors in the UK have been asking for access to our Earn products, and we are excited that today we can deliver that in full compliance with local regulations,” a Binance spokesperson said. “These are sophisticated clients who understand the asset class and want innovative, flexible tools to grow and manage their crypto portfolios.” Binance’s move reverses restrictions introduced during a prolonged period of regulatory tightening in the UK that caused crypto promotions and product lines to be curtailed. So what does the reopening suggest? Binance has implemented required consumer-protection and marketing compliance measures to align with the UK rules. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in August 2025 UK Is Tough Jurisdiction For Crypto Marketing Rules The UK has been a rather tough jurisdiction, specially for crypto marketing rules, after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced strict “financial requirements” in 2023. This impacted feature availability across major exchanges. Earn products such as savings, staking, and other yield-related offering had been limited or halted for UK users. This affected retail participation. “Staking is unique because it’s not just about returns,” the Binance spokesperson said. “It’s about alignment. Professional investors see it as a way to actively contribute to the long-term success of the networks they believe in, while earning yields that can outperform traditional fixed-income products.” DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 UK to Cap Bank Crypto Holdings at 1% by 2026 The Bank of England is setting the stage for a big change in how British banks interact with cryptocurrencies. Starting in 2026, banks will face new limits on how much digital asset exposure they can take on. The move is part of a wider push to reduce risk and keep the traditional financial system from being rattled by crypto’s ups and downs. Transparency is an important part of the Bank of England crypto framework, with banks required to disclose their crypto activity in detail. David Bailey, director of prudential policy at the Bank of England, explained the thinking behind the restrictions. In short, volatile assets like Bitcoin are too unpredictable to form a big chunk of a bank’s portfolio. Bailey called for a “conservative approach,” saying banks need to manage crypto in a way that protects both themselves and their customers. Read More: Bank of England Crypto Rules Set 1% Cap for 2026 Key Takeaways The relaunch underscores Binance’s strategy to re-enter key markets by meeting local regulatory expectations, a continuation of its broader efforts to standardize compliance after a turbulent 2023–2024 marked by leadership changes, settlements, and jurisdiction-specific restrictions. The FCA’s financial promotions regime for crypto, enforced from October 2023, introduced obligations around approved promotions, fair and clear communications, prominent risk warnings, and enhanced investor protections such as cooling-off periods for first-time retail customers. The post Binance Restores “Earn” Products for UK Users After Regulatory Green Light appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Bitcoin fell sharply Thursday after the US Treasury made clear it will not add to a planned Bitcoin reserve through new purchases. Prices had earlier rallied to an intraday high near $124,120, but traders saw gains reverse and the token backpedaled to around $118,550 later in the session. Markets were jittery, and parts of the crypto futures market saw forced liquidations during the sell-off. Treasury Rules Out New Buys According to reports, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business the government will not be buying additional Bitcoin for the reserve and that future additions will come from confiscated assets. “We’re not going to be buying that,” he said, and he added the Treasury would “stop selling” holdings it already controls. Bessent estimated the reserve’s current value at somewhere between $15 billion and $20 billion. The comments stand in relief to an earlier move by US President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order asking for budget-neutral plans to grow strategic Bitcoin holdings. Market Reaction And Price Swings Based on reports, the sell-off erased a chunk of Thursday’s gains. One feed showed Bitcoin drop from about $121,050 to $117,201 within an hour, while other data points put the low near $118,460. Trading platforms recorded a wave of liquidations estimated at roughly $450 million around the same time. Traders said the sudden shift was driven by the clarity in policy — investors had been pricing a possible government buyback program into earlier optimism, and that expectation faded after Bessent’s remarks. Macroeconomic Signals And Tariff Revenue Reports have also disclosed that Bessent linked some balance-sheet plans to rising tariff collections, saying July brought nearly $30 billion in tariff revenues. Bessent suggested annual tariff receipts could top a previous projection of $300 billion, a figure he said could help fund other asset strategies. The timing of his comments also came as US data showed the Producer Price Index rising 3.3% year-on-year and 0.9% month-on-month for July, numbers that add to the broader economic backdrop investors are watching. Confiscated Assets Versus Direct Purchases The Treasury secretary’s note that confiscated assets will be used to grow the reserve shifts the funding model away from direct Treasury buys. For now, that means any further increase in the reserve would be gradual and dependent on law enforcement recoveries rather than market purchases. Market participants said that stance removes a clear, predictable buyer from the market, which can make price swings larger over short windows — exactly what traders saw on Thursday. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

SharpLink is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in corporate Ethereum holdings. The company is accelerating its accumulation strategy at unprecedented speed. Combined with its existing ETH holdings, the company might be on track to outpace every other ETH treasury holder in both speed and scale. Why SharpLink’s Ethereum Strategy Could Redefine Corporate Treasuries In an X post, CryptoGucci shared a short clip of Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin’s recent remarks about SharpLink Gaming. Lubin believes that the company isn’t just participating in the race, but it’s about to lap the competition. According to Lubin, SharpLink Gaming (SBET) has rapidly emerged as one of the largest ETH accumulators on the planet, leveraging a strategy that goes far beyond simply holding ETH. The company actively manages its treasury to maximize productivity through staking, restaking, and compounding into some of the most powerful DeFi yield opportunities available. What sets SharpLink apart is its direct backing from the ETH company itself, which is a massive advantage that few competitors can claim. This relationship provides strategic alignment, insider insight, and access to key infrastructure, positioning SharpLink to move faster and more efficiently than any other treasury operator. The company is managed by some of the best DeFi investors in the world, combining institutional discipline with native crypto expertise. SharpLink’s approach is straightforward yet powerful. The process involves accumulating more ETH than anyone else, deploying it intelligently across high-yield opportunities, and generating steady returns while compounding for the long term. Why Ethereum Is Emerging As The Institutional Protocol Ethereum is gaining mainstream recognition at the institutional level. CryptoGucci has also shared a post where Cathie Wood, the founder and CIO of ARK Invest, laid out a bullish case for why Ethereum is becoming the institutional protocol of choice, which has captured the attention of the crypto and institutional investment communities. Wood highlighted that major infrastructure developments are signaling ETH dominance. Coinbase L2 is built on ETH, Robinhood L2 leverages ETH, and the ongoing stablecoin that is predominantly occurring on the ETH network. Unlike Bitcoin treasuries, ETH treasuries offer both utility and staking opportunities, while creating a more productive institutional asset. ETH may carry slightly higher costs and operate at a slower speed than some alternatives, but its decentralization and security make it the most resilient and reliable choice for institutional adoption. This foundational robustness is enabling ARK ETFs to take their first substantial positions in ETH, while marking a pivotal moment for institutional adoption. ARK has also strategically invested in Tom Lee’s BitMine (BMNR), which is currently the largest ETH treasury in the world, while signaling an alignment between traditional investment strategies and Ethereum-based infrastructure. Wood concluded that the foundation of the next financial system is being laid out in real time, and it’s all happening on ETH.

Gold prices slumped on Thursday as hotter-than-expected US inflation data and a drop in jobless claims slashed the odds of a supersized rate cut next month. Spot gold fell 0.3% to around $3,344 an ounce by 10:30 a.m. ET, while US gold futures were 0.4% lower at about $3,394 an ounce in New York. Click on chart for live prices. Gold’s decline comes after the Labor Department reported a 3.3% year-on-year rise in the producer price index last month, surpassing forecasts of 2.5%. Weekly jobless claims also came in lower than expected, at 224,000 versus 228,000 forecast. Both the US dollar index and benchmark 10-year yields responded positively to the data, denting the appeal of gold. “Gold trades lower as the stronger-than-expected US PPI print may lower rate cut hopes (expectations) as they feed into a higher Core PCE inflation print for July as well, likely keeping the Federal Reserve cautious on rate cuts,” Ole Hansen, Saxo Bank’s head of commodity strategy, said in a note to Reuters. A stronger US wholesale price data also tempered bets on a larger, half-point cut next month. Traders are now leaning toward a quarter-point move with another in October, reinforcing comments from Fed’s Mary Daly that such a large cut is not needed. Earlier in the day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged the US central bank to be aggressive on cutting rates, suggesting that the benchmark rate should be at least 150 basis points lower than it is now. “Overall, the print does not alter our bullish view on gold as the Fed eventually will have to choose between fighting inflation or supporting the economy,” Hansen said. One of the year’s top-performing assets, gold has risen by nearly 30% in 2025, with the bulk of those gains occurring in the first four months. The metal has been supported by heightened geopolitical and trade tensions that have spurred haven demand, as well as expectations of lower interest rates. (With files from Reuters)

China’s Ganfeng Lithium and Switzerland-based Lithium Argentina (TSX, NYSE: LAR) agreed this week to merge their assets in Argentina’s Salta province into a single large-scale lithium operation. The new PPG joint venture combines Ganfeng’s wholly owned Pozuelos–Pastos Grandes project with Lithium Argentina’s 85%-owned Pastos Grandes and 65%-owned Sal de la Puna projects. Ownership will be split 67% for Ganfeng and 33% for Lithium Argentina, based on resources, capital contributions, and technology inputs. “This alliance will provide access to advanced technologies, greater financial flexibility and significant operational synergies,” Lithium Argentina president and chief executive Sam Pigott said in the statement. He added that it would strengthen the company’s global lithium supply chain strategy. Three phases The merged operation aims to produce up to 150,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in three phases of 50,000 tonnes each. The $1.8 billion already invested covers wells, pilot evaporation ponds, production facilities, and accommodations for over 2,000 workers. Ganfeng will provide a $130 million, six-year loan to Lithium Argentina at an interest rate tied to a U.S. benchmark plus 2.5%, secured against its stake. Ganfeng can also buy up to half of Lithium Argentina’s initial output, capped at 6,000 tonnes annually, at market prices. Hybrid model The PPG venture plans a hybrid production model that combines direct lithium extraction with traditional solar evaporation. The approach could blend the efficiency of modern technology with the proven reliability of evaporation, potentially mitigating the downsides of each method. The companies already work together at the Cauchari – Olaroz mine in Jujuy province. Their latest move comes as global markets react to supply news from China, where CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, halted production at its Jianxiawo mine in Yichun after its permit expired. The mine accounts for about 6% of global lithium supply, and its closure has pushed international prices higher, easing fears of a glut.

Meme coins have spent most of their existence in the crypto market as retail-driven and hype-fueled, swinging from moonshot highs to brutal pullbacks in a matter of hours. But this year is beginning to look different. Institutional players are circling, looking for ways to package meme exposure in regulated, exchange-traded formats. That shift is significant. More liquidity can lead to larger price swings in either direction. However, it also strengthens the position of projects with strong narratives, engaged communities, or genuine utility to break out. And while mainstream finance still treats most meme coins as a joke, some of the biggest asset managers are now lining them up for ETFs. One of the clearest signs of that shift just came with the announcement of the Canary Capital Trump Coin ETF. If meme coin ETFs begin launching, the top meme coins – including TOKEN6900 ($T6900) – might be in a good position to benefit from the surge. Canary Capital Bets on $TRUMP On August 13, digital assets and fund manager Canary Capital registered the Canary Trump Coin ETF in Delaware, indicating plans to launch a spot ETF linked to the Solana-based meme coin. If filed and approved, it would join a small queue of US spot meme coin ETF applications that already include $DOGE, $BONK, and $PENGU. Most ETFs still focus on $BTC and $ETH, so targeting a smaller, high-volatility meme coin is an uncommon move. In March, Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg framed altcoin ETFs as a bet on undervalued digital assets that institutions do not yet price in, in an interview with CryptoSlate. Approval would not guarantee calmer markets, but it could widen liquidity, improve price discovery, and bring authorized participants into a niche that has lived on pure spot volumes. Meme coin ETFs could see the market explode due to the added liquidity and attention. With that in mind, here are three tokens worth keeping an eye on: 1. TOKEN6900 ($T6900) – Pure Meme Chaos TOKEN6900 ($T6900) takes the idea of a meme coin and strips it back to its most absurd core. There’s no roadmap, no utility, and no lofty promises. Just pure, weaponized internet humor. Priced at $0.00695, the presale recently reached the $2M mark, with early buyers earning 34% APY through staking. The project riffs on the success of SPX6900, but adds one extra token to the supply – making it “objectively superior” in meme logic. In a market where even ETFs are circling meme coins, $T6900 leans into the chaos instead of trying to justify itself with fake fundamentals. If meme coin ETFs spark a broader speculative frenzy, TOKEN6900’s unapologetic brand of nonsense might be exactly the kind of story that catches on. Check out the TOKEN6900 ($T6900) presale today. 2. Snorter Token ($SNORT) – Meme Coin Meets Telegram Trading Bot Snorter Token ($SNORT) blends meme culture with genuine trading functionality. Built as a multi-chain token for Solana and Ethereum, $SNORT powers a Telegram-native bot that’s designed for speed and precision in the meme coin markets. The presale has already raised over $3.1 million, with tokens priced at $0.1013 and offering an impressive 141% APY for stakers. The bot itself provides sub-second swaps, copy trading tools, rug and honeypot detection, and ultra-low fees of 0.85%. This appeals to traders seeking fast execution without a high cost. By blending utility with meme branding, Snorter connects two rapidly expanding areas in crypto. If meme coin ETFs help legitimize the meme sector, utility-backed projects like $SNORT could benefit from the credibility boost while retaining their retail appeal. Visit the Snorter Token ($SNORT) presale website. 3. Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) – Solana’s Meme King $PENGU is the official token of Pudgy Penguins, one of the most recognisable NFT brands in the world. With a market cap of roughly $2.3B, it has built an empire that stretches well beyond Web3 – securing partnerships with Lufthansa, NASCAR, Walmart, Formula 1, Suplay Inc., and even publishing giant Random House. If the $TRUMP ETF moves ahead, $PENGU’s likely will too. Institutions won’t ignore a project thats reach spans physical toys in Walmart, branding on F1 cars, and integration into airline loyalty programs – all of which funnel new audiences toward the token. That mix of cultural status and substantial partnerships gives $PENGU a foundation that few meme coins can claim. Combine that with ETF speculation, and you have a meme asset that could become an institutional talking point. Final Thoughts – Meme ETFs Could Reshape the Playing Field Canary Capital’s ETF filings for $TRUMP indicate that meme coins are moving into a more structured, regulated phase. For retail traders, that could open new opportunities – but also bring increased competition and scrutiny. Within this shifting landscape, $T6900 leans into pure chaos, $SNORT adds real utility into the mix, and $PENGU thrives on community and brand power. This article is not financial advice. Meme coins remain high-risk, so please do your own research before buying into any projects.

U.S. data, which had surprised participants for a long while now, has finally shown some of the effects of tariff-led inflation, and they do not look good. This morning's Producer Price Index (PPI) report came at 0.9% m/m for both the headline and core numbers (expected at 0.2% for both). Y/Y headline is now at 3.3% (vs 2.5% exp) and 3.7%(!!) (vs 2.9% consensus) for the core. A few FED speakers and economists have mentioned that the impact of tariffs on inflation should only provide a temporary, one-time boost to the change in inflation numbers. However, despite these claims, too-hot inflation in the present may change future inflation expectations and prompt a hawkish Fed. This should put an emphasis on University of Michigan inflation expectations. It also takes a few months, but the data should impact consumer prices, as producers will have to pass some of the costs on to avoid killing their profit margins. It seems that the September Cut will not be straightforward, hurting appetite for risk assets. For that reason, let's have a look at key levels for the Dow Jones as the morning bell freshly rang. Read More: Trump’s pressure mounts. The Fed cornered. Will the dollar weaken further?Current Picture for Indices and US Bonds Indices and Bonds performance in the morning session, Source: TradingView The US Dollar is rising strongly, leaving Bonds and Indices lagging since the PPI data got released. US Indices are finding some small dip-buyers with the Nasdaq leading but we will need to track if the dip-buying can hold the surprising news. Dow Jones Technical AnalysisDow Jones Daily Chart Dow Jones Daily Chart, August 14, 2025 – Source: TradingView The Dow has broken out to the upside after a 5-day consolidation, mentioned in our previous analysis. Post ISM Services PMIs that missed, participants looked a bit reluctant to push the pedal for the US 30 but saw what they needed to push the index higher after the CPI report from Tuesday. Now trading within its all-time highs resistance zone, Bulls will have to push further to mark a more decisive new record price. In the meantime, momentum seems to be consolidating towards neutral after many weak attempts for bulls to take control. My take on this is a reluctance from participants to fully discard the effect of tariffs on US manufacturing, preventing new highs like in Tech for example. Dow Jones 8H Chart Dow Jones 8H Chart, August 14, 2025 – Source: TradingView Bulls did retake control of the price action but as mentioned on the daily timeframe, they will have to make a clearer push to decisively break the 45,150 highs to relaunch a trending environment (currently rangebound). A potential head and shoulders could be materializing if buyers fail to break the yesterday to today's sessions highs (44,988). Despite not showing up clearly for the moment, buyer failure here could be critical, particularly after the PPI data. Levels to watch for the Dow Jones: Resistance Levels 44,988 highs to breakAll-time high resistance zone around 45,000Current ATH 45,150Support Levels 44,400 to 44,500 Immediate pivot44,100 Thursday lows resistance turned supportNFP Lows Mini-Support 43,25043,000 Main Support ZoneDow Jones 1H Chart Dow Jones 1H Chart, August 14, 2025 – Source: TradingView Short-timeframes evoke the formation of a small-timeframe upward channel that will need to hold. This morning's descent post-PPI actually bounced from its highs – Watch for a breakout either to the daily highs (44,990) if bulls manage to overpass this morning's data or a downside breakout (44,725) Safe Trades! Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Argenta Silver (TSXV: AGAG) has delivered one of the year’s most eye‑popping silver assays at El Quevar in Salta, Argentina, cutting 18,467 grams silver per tonne over 1.05 metres. The hole is part of a broad 40‑metre run grading 1,026 grams silver in hole QVD‑412, cut from 290 metres deep, Argenta said in a Wednesday release. It’s the highest assay recorded so far on the project, CEO Joaquin Marias said. The hits confirm the presence of several high-grade silver intervals within the project’s Yaxtché deposit, Argenta said. “From a technical standpoint, the extraordinary tenor of the Yaxtché mineralization highlights the strength and scale of the hydrothermal system that formed El Quevar,” Marias said in the statement. The company’s Toronto-listed shares rose almost 12%, or 7¢ on Wednesday morning to 67¢ apiece. The company has a market capitalization of $124 million. Opening up Hole QVD‑412’s blow‑out grade sits within thickness and continuity, the company reported. Inside the broader zone, Argenta said it cut 15 metres grading 2,246 grams silver per tonne, including 6 metres at 4,423 grams silver. This shows that the result is not a stray speck but a coherent high‑grade shoot within the Yaxtché deposit. The company’s second hole in this batch, QVD‑413, returned 14.35 metres at 414 grams of silver per tonne. It was found at 258.65 metres deep, which is shallower than the existing resource. This opens the system toward the surface. The success of up-dip hole QVD-413 and the record intersection in QVD-412 confirm Argenta’s dual strategy, Marias said. The strategy focuses on expanding the known resource and exploring the large untested areas. The intervals are reported as core lengths; Argenta estimates true widths at 60%–85% but says more modelling and density are needed before it can calculate true thickness. High grades The intercept drops into a market already attuned to monster silver grades and it ranks with the most dramatic results reported this cycle. Sun Silver (ASX: SS1) announced last month that its Maverick Springs program in Nevada found a 0.76-metre sub-interval with a high grade of 10,397 grams silver per tonne as part of a wider 70.1-metre mineralized section starting at 255.12 metres deep. In Nevada and Colombia, Blackrock Silver (TSXV: BRC; US-OTC: BKRRF) and Outcrop Silver & Gold (TSXV: OCG; US-OTC: OCGSF) have drawn investor attention by announcing multiple high-grade intercepts across large intersections. At El Quevar, Argenta is leaning into both resource growth and discovery, since only around 3% of the 570 sq. km area has been explored with modern methods. The company’s fully funded 4,000-metre winter campaign, which started in late May, aims to confirm high-grade zones. It will also extend along the strike and test new targets. Outside Yaxtché, first holes are now turning at Atenea, Andrea, Argenta and Mani‑Copan — areas the company says have never been drill‑tested by prior operators. Growing resource Argenta’s narrative adds weight to the numbers. Yaxtché hosts an indicated resource of 2.93 million tonnes grading 482 grams silver per tonne for 45.3 million oz. of metal. Mineralization remains open at depth and along trend, the company said. El Quevar has a unique ‘pure silver’ signature that features high-to-intermediate-sulphidation epithermal mineralization, according to the company. This type shows silver-dominant chemistry, with only minor by-products. The project is set inside a district with rail, gas and power nearby and a fully operational 100‑person camp on site. Argenta’s major shareholders include Frank Giustra of the Fiore Group and Argentine businessman Eduardo Elsztain. The company has about $11 million (US$8 million) in working capital and no debt, giving it a solid cushion as executives pursue growth in a good mining jurisdiction.

Bitcoin hit a new all-time high (ATH) on August 13, providing a bullish outlook for the leading cryptocurrency. Ethereum has also recorded remarkable gains in the last seven days, bringing it close to its ATH. This development has occurred thanks to macro factors, which are boosting risk-on sentiment. Bitcoin Hits New ATH While Ethereum Records Massive Gains CoinMarketCap data shows that Bitcoin has reached a new ATH of $124,400, surpassing its previous ATH of around $123,091, which it hit just a month ago. Meanwhile, Ethereum is up almost 30% in the last seven days and is now just about 2% away from its ATH of $4,891. With the crypto market boasting this bullish momentum, ETH is expected to reach a new ATH sooner rather than later. These rallies for Bitcoin and Ethereum have occurred on the back of positive macro developments such as the U.S. CPI data, which has boosted hopes of a September Fed rate cut. The July CPI inflation data came in at 2.7%, which showed that inflation in the country was steady. This reading was also lower than the expected 2.8%. Meanwhile, earlier on, the July job data had suggested that the U.S. labor market was weakening after nonfarm payrolls rose to 73,000, lower than the expected 147,000. Meanwhile, May and June figures were revised to 19,000 and 14,000 from 144,000 and 147,000, respectively. These developments have proven bullish for Bitcoin and Ethereum as the odds of a 25-basis-point (bps) September Fed rate cut have reached as high as 99%, according to CME FedWatch. These odds are now at 95% while there is a 4.2% chance of a 50 bps, which would be more bullish for these crypto assets if it happens. Rate cuts inject more liquidity into the market and boost investors’ appetite for risk-on assets like BTC and ETH. Higher Prices Still Likely For BTC Crypto analyst Ezy said that the Bitcoin price is in the ‘Sign of Strength’ phase, signaling that this is the beginning of a major bullish move after a period of accumulation by whales. The analyst added that the first target in this phase is typically the 1.618 Fibonacci, which is around $130,000. Meanwhile, the Ezy stated that the second target is at the 2.0 Fibonacci level, near $145,000, and the final target is around $166,000. His accompanying chart showed that Bitcoin can reach these targets between September and October, around when the monetary easing cycle is expected to begin. At the time of writing, the Bitcoin price is trading at around $122,600, up over 2% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Antimony is a critical mineral—vital for military applications and ammunition, semiconductors and specialized alloys. Control over its refining capacity carries significant strategic leverage. The Chinese and Russian Spheres of Control currently dominate roughly 89% of global antimony refining—an alarming concentration, especially given there is incomplete data available on Russia. This graphic reveals the geopolitical landscape of antimony refinement, highlighting the vulnerabilities in global supply chains for a metal key to defence and national security. (By Anthony Vaccaro; Files from: Ali Ravaghi; Creative: James Alafriz)

Average Retirement Income: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and How to Build Yours You worked hard, you played by the rules, and now you want straight talk about money in retirement. Here it is. “Average retirement income” gets headlines, but your life is not an average. What matters is the cash you can count on each month, how you protect it from taxes and inflation, and how you turn savings into paychecks that last. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you a practical playbook to size, protect, and steady your income. Average Retirement Income vs. Your Reality The phrase “average retirement income” sounds helpful until you look under the hood. Averages blur the picture and mix unlike situations into one number. Mean versus median: the mean can be pulled up by a few high earners; the median shows the middle household. Household versus individual: a two-earner home can look very different from a single retiree. Pre-tax versus after-tax: a dollar before tax is not the same as a dollar you can spend. What counts as income: some surveys include withdrawals from savings; others do not. So yes, benchmark if you like, but use averages as mile markers, not as your map. The map is your budget, your fixed bills, your health coverage, your taxes, and your guaranteed checks. That sharper, personal view is what pays the bills. Your Target: Replacement Income You Can Live With Forget chasing a national figure. The real goal is replacement income, the share of your working pay you will need when the paycheck stops. Many planners cite 70 to 85 percent as a starting point. Your number may be lower if your mortgage is gone and the kids are launched, or higher if travel, hobbies, and family help are on the agenda. Build from the budget up List what you will spend in a normal month, then stress-test it for the big hitters. These categories decide more retirements than any single investment choice: Housing: property tax, insurance, maintenance, and any HOA dues. Healthcare: Medicare premiums, supplemental plans, prescriptions, dental and vision. Daily living: food, utilities, transportation, and communications. Taxes: on withdrawals and Social Security, depending on your bracket and state. Discretionary: travel, gifts, hobbies, and charitable giving. Once you see the monthly number, you have a clean target. That figure, not an average retirement income from a headline, tells you whether you are on track. The Three Pillars of Retirement Income Most retiree households stand on three pillars: Social Security, pensions or pension-like income, and withdrawals from savings. Each behaves differently. The mix, not any single pillar, is what creates stability. Social Security Social Security is built as a base layer. It lasts for life and adjusts for inflation. Your benefit depends on your work history and when you claim. Claim early and the monthly check is smaller; delay and it grows. There is no universal perfect age. Health, spousal benefits, part-time work, and how much you want to lock in a larger check versus drawing from savings sooner all matter. If longevity runs in your family, a later claim can strengthen lifetime income. If you plan to work in your early retirement years, understand earnings rules before claiming. Coordinate spousal benefits so the higher earner’s check supports the survivor benefit. Pensions and pension-like income If you have a pension, treat it like the sturdy beam it is. If you do not, some households build pension-like stability through insured products, bond ladders, or a “cash bucket” that covers several months of expenses. The point is simple: cover the essentials with income you can count on month after month. Withdrawals from savings Withdrawals are the flexible pillar. You choose how much to take and when. That freedom is powerful, and it comes with responsibility. Markets rise and fall, taxes shift with your decisions, and required minimum distributions arrive later in life for certain accounts. Many households use a conservative withdrawal framework to convert balances into a sustainable monthly number that can hold up in both good markets and tough ones. Inflation, Taxes, and the Risks You Actually Feel Inflation is not a theory. Anyone who has bought groceries recently knows it is real. Even modest inflation compounds over a decade. Social Security offers cost-of-living adjustments, but your overall plan should still respect the reality that a dollar today will not buy the same ten years from now. Taxes are the other silent force. Some states tax retirement income; others do not. Withdrawals from traditional accounts are taxable. Roth withdrawals can be tax-free. Social Security may be partially taxable based on your other income. Smart coordination matters. In some years, drawing a bit more from one bucket and less from another keeps your bracket in check and your healthcare surcharges down. A quick story: A couple in Ohio retired with a paid-off home and modest savings. They were careful spenders. Their win came from sequencing withdrawals and timing Social Security in a way that fit their health and tax picture. The result was smoother cash flow and fewer tax surprises. That was not luck. It was discipline. Location, Lifestyle, and Healthcare: The Wild Cards Where you live sets your baseline costs. Property taxes, insurance, utility rates, and medical networks vary widely. Two households with the same nest egg can face very different realities depending on ZIP code. Some retirees relocate to stretch dollars. Others stay close to family and trim discretionary spending. There is no single right answer, only the right answer for you. Healthcare deserves its own line item. Medicare is a strong foundation, yet premiums, supplemental coverage, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and the possibility of long-term care are real. Consider separating healthcare from the rest of the budget so you can track it clearly and adjust as needed. Review Medicare choices each open enrollment; plans and provider networks change. Hold a cash buffer for deductibles and unexpected procedures. Know your state’s rules on taxing retirement income and Social Security. Another quick story: A retired teacher in Arizona loved golf, then a knee replacement benched him for a season. Because he had built a healthcare cushion, his monthly plan held steady. A small act of preparation protected everything else he enjoyed. Turning Savings into a Paycheck: A Simple Playbook Here is a practical system you can put to work. Make it personal, keep it consistent, and do not be afraid of boring. Boring is good when you are paying the electric bill. Tally fixed income: list Social Security, pension, and any rental or annuity checks. That is your floor. Build a baseline budget: housing, healthcare, food, utilities, transportation, and taxes. Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Translate balances into monthly dollars: use a conservative withdrawal framework to turn IRA and brokerage balances into steady income that can weather market cycles. Create a cash bucket: keep several months of expenses in cash or near-cash so market dips do not force you to sell at a bad time. Sequence withdrawals: coordinate taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts. Watch tax brackets, healthcare surcharges, and required minimum distributions as you age. Plan for bumps: budget for one car replacement, one roof repair, and one medical bill. When you name and price a bump, it cannot knock you over. Review once a year: small course corrections beat big panicked moves. Revisit the budget, recalibrate for inflation, and check your mix. One more point: Part-time work or consulting for a season can bridge the early years of retirement. It keeps skills sharp, delays tapping savings, and in some cases improves the Social Security math. That is not about pride; it is about control. Benchmarks Without the Blindfold: Using Average Retirement Income the Right Way Should you ignore average retirement income completely? Not at all. Use it to ask better questions, not to copy someone else’s plan. If you are far below the averages, do not panic. Tighten the budget, consider part-time work, and focus on covering essentials with guaranteed income. If you are well above the averages, do not coast. Inflation and taxes will still test your plan, especially over a long retirement. Compare like with like. If a benchmark is household before tax and you are looking at individual after tax, you are not comparing the same thing. Update your benchmarks annually. Costs, benefits, and personal goals change. The smartest use of averages is to pressure-test your assumptions. If a headline number pushes you to refine your budget, check your tax plan, or adjust your withdrawal rate, it has done its job. Mistakes to Avoid So the Math Works for You Most retirements do not fail because of one dramatic decision. They stumble from small missteps that compound. Keep this checklist handy: Do not try to live by a national average. Live by your budget. Do not ignore taxes. Coordinate withdrawals and watch brackets. Do not underestimate healthcare. Price premiums and out-of-pocket costs separately. Do not overreact to headlines. Make annual changes, not weekly ones. Do not skip the cash buffer. Liquidity is your shock absorber. Do not forget inflation. Review spending and bump your targets as prices rise. Do not set and forget Social Security. Revisit your claiming strategy if life changes. Bottom Line: Build the Income You Can Count On The average retirement income in America is a statistic. Your retirement income is a plan. That is the difference. Use the phrase “average retirement income” as a reference point, then define your own target with a clear monthly budget, a sturdy base of guaranteed checks, and a conservative, flexible way to pull from savings. Respect inflation and taxes. Give healthcare its due. Review once a year with a cool head. You cannot control markets or headlines, but you can control preparation, pace, and peace of mind. That is how you make retirement work on your terms. The post Average Retirement Income first appeared on American Bullion.

For much of late 2024 and early 2025, many in the crypto world believed XRP could overtake Ethereum in market capitalization. The belief grew after XRP’s powerful rally late last year, which saw it outperform most major coins while Ethereum struggled to hold key price levels. At the time, market analysts were confident the gap between the two would soon close. Now, one of the most vocal supporters of the flippening, a popular analyst known as Charting Guy, has reversed his position and says it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Analyst Backtracks On XRP Flippening Ethereum Prediction Charting Guy pointed to the period between November 2024 and January 2025, when XRP surged nearly 600%, while ETH barely moved and even dropped to lows of $1,385 in April. During that time, XRP’s price strength and rapid market cap growth, increasing about seven times in just weeks, led many to believe it could become the top altcoin. However, in a post this week, Charting Guy admitted, “that is no longer the case.” He explained that he re-entered Ethereum in April, near its lows, and since then, ETH has shown “immense strength.” As of today, Ethereum is trading just 10% below its all-time high of $4,891, reaching $4,784 earlier in the day. Its current price of $4,736 marks a 239% increase from its April low. The surge pushed Ethereum’s market cap to $572 billion, compared to XRP’s $193 billion. The gap between them, now more than $368 billion, has grown significantly since July 13, when it was under $200 billion. Charting Guy says Ethereum’s strong performance has made a flippening far less realistic, at least in the near term. Ethereum’s Strength Leaves XRP Playing Catch-Up In the past four weeks alone, ETH has jumped 52%, while XRP’s growth has largely stalled. Even if XRP were to rise 2.5 times from its current price of $3.22 to roughly $8, its market value would be around $477 billion, still far short of Ethereum’s current level. Charting Guy also pointed out that for XRP to match Ethereum’s current market cap, it would need to reach $9.30, and that’s assuming ETH stops moving entirely while XRP rallies 3x. In his view, that scenario is “rather unlikely.” He warned against listening to “moon boys” who push unrealistic XRP price targets while ignoring Ethereum’s continued strength. Instead, he advises investors to hold both assets, arguing that being too focused on one coin leaves traders exposed if the market moves in a different direction. He stressed that Ethereum’s strong rally was overdue, as it had been playing catch-up to Bitcoin for most of the season. What once seemed like a real possibility now appears distant as Ethereum gains momentum. While XRP still has room to grow, it’s clear that Ethereum is not standing still, making the race between them more one-sided for now.

Cardano crypto is flying higher at press time. After the lull in late July, ADA USD began printing higher highs from early August before breaking above $1 earlier today. Although prices retraced, the uptrend remains intact. If the current momentum is maintained, the coin could bounce higher, perhaps even flipping Dogecoin and USDC in the next few weeks. Will Cardano Crypto Hit $3 In 27 Days? The technical candlestick arrangement on the daily chart points to strength. Buyers are squarely in control following the high-volume breakout above July 2025 highs. At spot rates, ADA ▲6.10% is trading at a five-month high, changing hands in March 2025 territory. If bulls press on, buyers will likely reclaim $1.2. In turn, this will be an opportunity for ADA holders to break $1.35 in a buy trend continuation pattern. When this happens, the odds of more capital flowing to some of the best meme coin ICOs in Cardano and other blockchains will also increase. CardanoPriceMarket CapADA$33.41B24h7d30d1yAll time Besides the high volume of the past few trading days, signaling interest, traders are upbeat about what the future entails. On X, one notes that ADA USD could spike to as high as $3 in the next 27 days following the formation of a golden cross on the daily chart. A golden cross is a bullish signal chartists use for entries and trend definition. It forms when the 50-period moving average crosses above the 200-period moving average. (Source: Deezy_BTC on X) In this case, the golden cross formed in the daily chart. The analyst notes that the last time a golden cross printed, ADA crypto pumped by 230%. Accordingly, if the past guides, and considering the mega interest in the best cryptos to buy, including ADA, is attracting, there is a high possibility that prices will rally. He projects ADA crypto to reach $3 in just 27 days, adding that those not stacking up ADA at spot rates are “not bullish enough.” DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Cardano Foundation Initiatives While technical indicators are promising, Cardano has even more solid fundamentals and ecosystem developments that provide a stronger case for bulls. In a post on X, the Cardano Foundation expressed its keenness on making the network one of the most trusted global infrastructures. They outlined a multifaceted strategy aimed at driving adoption, but most importantly, showcasing the utility of Cardano in the real world. The non-profit is convinced that the “future is Cardano” and, towards actualizing this goal, they are partnering with key stakeholders, including the lead Cardano developer, Input Output Global (IOG), Emurgo, and Intersect. Initiatives set by the foundation include showcasing case studies where Cardano powers industries like supply chain, AI, and finance. At the same time, they want to offer more courses and enterprise masterclasses through the Cardano Academy. The goal is to train legacy companies and make them adaptable in the new market. Moreover, the foundation plans to provide resources for the Aiken programming language courses at universities to foster developer talent. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Scaling Cardano Cardano developers are also building. In the coming months, the Ouroboros Leios will be released, likely in parts. The upgrade aims to further boost Cardano’s throughput by introducing a novel block structure and parallel processing capabilities. Notably, Leios introduces three block types, including Input, Endorsement, and Ranking blocks, each playing a distinct role. Endorsement blocks, for example, will resolve the issue of block duplicates or conflicts, and will be minted less frequently. On the other hand, Ranking blocks will be minted every 20 seconds and reference Endorsement blocks. These blocks will power parallel processing via the Input and Endorsement blocks. Once all parts of Leios are in place, Cardano will be at the forefront of solving challenges, including scaling, that have plagued the industry. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Is Cardano Crypto Ready For $3 In 27 Days? ADA USD Forms Golden Cross ADA crypto breaks $1 Golden cross forms in the daily chart. Back to $3 in 1 month? Cardano Foundation strategies, announces multiple initiatives Cardano developers building, Ouroboros Leios to boost scalability The post Is Cardano Crypto Ready For $3 In 27 Days? ADA USD Forms Golden Cross appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Ripple chief technology officer (CTO) David “JoelKatz” Schwartz used a late-Wednesday post on X to frame a surge of payments and stablecoin companies launching their own base-layer networks as validation of blockchain’s role in finance—and to restate how the XRP Ledger’s design differs from the new entrants. “We’ve been seeing more and more players in the payments and stablecoins space launch their own blockchains. To me, that’s a clear sign the market sees blockchain as core financial infrastructure — something we’ve believed in and have been building toward on the XRP Ledger for over 13 years,” he wrote, adding, “Launching a blockchain is hard. Building an ecosystem with developers, liquidity, trust, and real-world usage is even harder.” Competition For Ripple And The XRP Ledger? Schwartz situated XRPL’s posture in the long-running debate over network governance. “Some blockchains are built with permissioned validator sets controlled by one entity or a small group. This can provide control and compliance for specific, closed-network scenarios, but it limits reach, resilience, and the ability for anyone to contribute to securing and growing the network,” he wrote. “As many of you know, the XRPL is public and permissionless at its core, with optional permissioned features for regulated use cases.” He argued that the ledger’s open base “makes it adaptable, interoperable, and well-positioned to serve as critical infrastructure for the world’s financial system — connecting assets, markets, and participants seamlessly across borders.” The remarks arrive as two US fintech heavyweights move into L1 territory. Circle this week unveiled Arc, an EVM-compatible Layer-1 it says is “purpose-built for stablecoin finance,” with dollar-denominated fees (USDC as native gas), opt-in privacy, a built-in RFQ-style FX engine, and “deterministic sub-second settlement finality” via the Malachite consensus engine. Circle says Arc will enter private testnet in the coming weeks, target public testnet in the fall, and a mainnet beta in 2026. Separately, Stripe is developing Tempo, a high-performance, payments-focused L1 being built in partnership with crypto VC firm Paradigm. Tempo is designed to run code compatible with Ethereum, is currently in stealth with a small team, and it remains unclear whether it will have a native token. Schwartz also highlighted specific XRPL design choices he sees as aligned with financial-grade settlement. “It’s encouraging to see some newer chains adopt design choices that have long been part of the XRPL’s architecture, like deterministic finality … It shows there’s growing alignment in the industry on the importance of predictable, reliable settlement for financial applications without expensive validation,” he wrote. He reiterated that XRPL fees are meant to stay “low and predictable, just fractions of a cent, without a separate gas token,” noting that “every transaction on the XRPL uses/burns XRP.” XRPL’s technical documentation specifies that each transaction destroys a small amount of XRP as an anti-spam fee, and describes consensus rules aimed at deterministic ordering and finality. Where Schwartz drew a line was on governance flexibility. He acknowledged that permissioned validator sets can make sense for “specific, closed-network scenarios,” but underscored XRPL’s approach: a public, permissionless core with opt-in controls for compliance needs. The ledger’s native features include Authorized Trust Lines, Deposit Authorization/Preauthorization, and issuer-level freeze tooling for issued assets—not for XRP itself—allowing regulated token issuers to gate or police flows without converting the entire network into a walled garden. XRPL’s own FAQ emphasizes that it is a decentralized, public blockchain where changes require supermajority validator approval. The strategic contrast with the new fintech chains is already visible. Arc explicitly centers USDC—making fees dollar-denominated and embedding Circle’s payments stack—whereas XRPL retains XRP for fees and settlement while supporting issued assets through trust-line mechanics. If Tempo proceeds as reported, Stripe would be pursuing an Ethereum-compatible L1 optimized for predictable payments performance, potentially mirroring Arc’s enterprise-centric pitch but with a broader merchant-services integration surface. Schwartz closed on a deliberately expansive note about the competitive set: “Looking forward to the next phase of XRPL innovations, bringing more programmability, compliance-grade capabilities, and deeper liquidity for institutional use,” he wrote—before welcoming rivals: “And to those just getting started… Welcome to the party! The crypto tent is only getting bigger.” At press time, XRP traded at $3.23.

It sure is hard being a crypto billionaire and keeping all the press out of your wallet! Just ask Justin Sun as he sues Bloomberg to keep them from disclosing sensitive information about his crypto holdings. Sun filed a lawsuit on 11 August 2025 in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, claiming Bloomberg’s disclosure of his crypto holdings undermines his privacy and could potentially put him and his family at risk. According to Sun, Bloomberg approached him earlier this year to include him in its online Billionaires Index, where it ranks some of the world’s richest individuals. Sun claims that he only agreed to participate after Bloomberg assured him that they would keep all asset disclosures, particularly the ones tied to his crypto holdings, strictly confidential and would use them solely to verify his net worth. According to his complaint, Sun shared his wallet details and asset information via a secure channel with Bloomberg’s wealth verification team, believing they would share his crypto portfolio as a single aggregate figure without revealing token allocations or wallet breakdown. Sun launched Tron in 2017 and has substantial crypto and traditional assets. He says that assurances from Bloomberg were central to his decision to cooperate. EXPLORE: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in August 2025 Bloomberg Had Given Assurances Both Verbally And In Writing Continuing on with the breach of trust theme, Sun claims that the publishing giant assured him repeatedly, both verbally and in writing, that it would use his asset data for verification purposes only and delete it thereafter. Additionally, Bloomberg’s team assured Sun that only a handful of select personnel would be granted access to Sun’s asset holdings. When Sun’s lawyers set explicit conditions to use the data for verification purposes only, Bloomberg did not push back. However, in July, Sun’s team learned that Bloomberg journalists were referencing figures from the confidential data set in a separate article. Shortly after this, Bloomberg’s team sent over a draft profile for its Billionaires’ Index, which, according to Sun, had multiple inaccuracies and, more critically, a granular breakdown of his crypto holdings by token type and amount. EXPLORE: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Sun Claims Outing Holdings Will Make Him A Prime Target For Hackers Sun claims that Bloomberg’s breakdown of his holdings in its draft profile is far more granular and detailed than what’s typically published for other industry figures such as Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong or Binance’s Changpeng Zhao. He alleges that his crypto holdings, if made public, would allow analysts to map his digital footprint, making him a high-value target for cyberattacks, thefts and even physical harm. The complaint highlights how blockchain’s transparency can become a liability if someone discloses the asset composition. It cites previous cases of crypto billionaires facing extortion, kidnapping and other threats and includes examples that Bloomberg itself reported on in the past. EXPLORE: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in August 2025 Justin Sun Sues Bloomberg On Two Legal Counts Sun filed his lawsuit on two legal grounds, including public disclosure of private facts and promissory estoppel, stating that Bloomberg’s planned publication violates assurances that led him to share sensitive data. Further, the complaint seeks a temporary restraining order along with preliminary and permanent injunctions to block Bloomberg from releasing the asset breakdown. He is also pursuing reimbursement of legal fees and has requested a jury trial. Moreover, he has warned that publishing granular wallet data could trigger consequences that outlast a single article. EXPLORE: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in August 2025 Key Takeaways Justin Sun has filed a lawsuit against Bloomberg to stop them from publishing details of his crypto holdings Sun alleges that Bloomberg’s team assured him of using his data for verification purposes only He seeks a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction in this matter, along with reimbursement of legal fees The post Tron Founder Justin Sun Sues Bloomberg Over Crypto Asset Disclosure appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

What’s interesting today? We know Bullish Exchange has been making headlines with its stock launch on the NYSE. Bitcoin is breaching its ATH, but such sleeper coins, both HYPE and ADA, are taking the crown for crypto top gainers. Cardano jumped, climbing 15% to settle at 95 cents. Grayscale’s ETF filings are likely one of the main reasons for its pumps. On the other hand, Hyperliquid, with its HYPE, followed suit, up six percent toward $48, squeezing shorters. All eyes have been on ETH ▲2.06% , SOL ▲1.87% , and BTC ▲1.30% , but ADA ▲13.24% , HYPE , and even BNB ▲2.14% are making big moves unexpectedly. These moves always happen in every cycle when smaller coins chase Bitcoin’s lead. CardanoPriceMarket CapADA$35.01B24h7d30d1yAll time EXPLORE: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Besides Solana Ethereum Closing in on ATH, BTC Already at ATH, ADA and HYPE Records Double-Digit Gains Ethereum sits at above $4,700, just three percent shy of its peak in 2021, and is expected to breach it soon. ETH ETF inflows hit two billion this week, rocketing the altcoins market. With Bitcoin steady above 120 grand, capital shifts are forcing the altcoin phase like every cycle. As expected, Bitcoin dominance dipped to 59 percent and is going down as funds rotate into smaller-cap alts. The Altcoin Season Index has also climbed to 41, up sharply from last month’s lows. The altcoin show is just about to begin, if not already rolling. Cardano’s rally, although tied to ecosystem growth, the Grayscale ETF has pushed ADA to an unexpected height, all while Charles is doing all his meditations. Hyperliquid thrives on zero-gas trades, drawing liquidity like a magnet in perpetual trading, especially with support from crypto wallets such as Phantom. (HYPEUSD) Ethereum with its strength as usual, has pulls others along, with Layer-2s fees keep dropping and TVL nearing records high. 5K is not a distant dream for Ethereum, and even some say $10K is a possibility this year. It is a fact that the current ETH setup recalls past bull run where ETH broke first. Once not if, BTC dominance slips below 55 percent, altseason will accelerate, targeting 100 percent gains in some tokens, even thousands of percent gains in smaller cap. As now, Cardano is eyeing another pump, and Hyperliquid targets $70. And Ethereum might top $7K by year-end with BTC going $130K. Sustained inflows on altcoins are keeping the fire lit, and bigger waves are coming. DISCOVER: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in Today Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates 9 minutes ago Tron Founder Justin Sun Sues Bloomberg Over Crypto Asset Disclosure By Akiyama Felix In other news, a big headline comes from Tron’s founder Justin Sun. Sun filed a lawsuit on 11 August 2025 in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, claiming Bloomberg’s disclosure of his crypto holdings undermines his privacy and could potentially put him and his family at risk. According to Sun, Bloomberg approached him earlier this year to include him in its online Billionaires Index, where it ranks some of the world’s richest individuals. Sun claims that he only agreed to participate after Bloomberg assured him that they would keep all asset disclosures, particularly the ones tied to his crypto holdings, strictly confidential and would use them solely to verify his net worth. Read the full story here. The post [LIVE] ADA and HYPE Record Highest Crypto Gain Today: Altcoins Season Coming as ETH Nears ATH appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Following the European Union’s (EU) recent decision to impose sanctions on several Chinese entities over alleged facilitation of sanctioned cryptocurrency transactions involving Russia, Beijing has moved quickly to issue retaliatory measures of its own. China’s Ministry of Commerce condemned the EU’s sanctions as “politically motivated” and “lacking factual basis.” On 13 August 2025, China announced countermeasures against two Lithuanian financial institutions after they listed two Chinese banks in its sanctions against Russia. According to local media reports “organizations and individuals in China are prohibited from engaging in related transactions, cooperation and other activities with the two EU financial institutions, namely UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas, the ministry said, citing the country’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law and the regulation on implementing the law.” EXPLORE: A New World Currency is Shaping Through BRICS And Is Here New Front Has Opened In Already Tense Relationship Between China And EU In early August, the EU unveiled a package of expanded sanctions aimed at tightening pressure on Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. It included blacklisting of several Chinese companies and individuals accused of helping Moscow circumvent restrictions by enabling crypto transfers pegged to sanctioned entities. The EU regulators alleged that these firms provided wallets, OTC services, or mixing tools to process digital assets linked to Russian interests. Previously, the sanctions targeted Russian exchanges and crypto facilitators directly. However, this is the first time China-based institutions have been included in the list. Chinese officials have warned of “necessary countermeasures” to protect the “legitimate rights and interests” Chinese enterprises. Apparently, China is said to be reviewing technology export licenses and imposing tighter scrutiny on EU-based blockchain and fintech companies operating in the Chinese market. Chinese regulators are allegedly auditing EU-linked banking partners that have exposure to Chinese crypto-adjacent companies. DISCOVER: 7 High-Risk High-Reward Cryptos for 2025 Will China Accelerate Promotion Of Cross-Border Settlements In e-CNY? Countries like China, Russia, and Iran are creating their own global currency called BRICS. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. And more than a dozen other countries have already signed on. Independently, these countries are dwarfs to the US. But together, they represent 40% of the world’s population. According to the IMF, BRICS will represent 50% of the world’s GDP by 2030. The US is no longer holding all the cards at the global table. In 2025, the world is G7 countries like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, US and the European Union, vs. BRICS. Like BRICS, the G7 countries control 40% of the world’s GDP. This is also why, only two years ago, China was taking an active role in the negotiations between Saudi Arabia, the second largest oil hegemon, and Iran, the 14th largest economy in the world. If this were a kickball game, we’re seeing China recruit the teams and set up the field while America still picks dandelions. DISCOVER: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025 Key Takeaways China is said to be reviewing technology export licenses. The country is imposing tighter scrutiny on EU-based blockchain and fintech companies operating in the Chinese market. State regulators are allegedly auditing EU-linked banking partners that have exposure to Chinese crypto-adjacent companies. The post Crypto Sanctions War? China Counters EU’s Measures With Retaliatory Action appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The DAX Index has continued to edge higher in the European session. Investors are keeping an eye on economic data, company earnings, and global events, as Presidents Trump and Putin are set to meet tomorrow. Optimism is also growing with expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points next month. Euro Area GDP and Industrial Output Euro zone industrial production fell more than expected in June, even though the economy grew steadily in the second quarter. The data may raise doubts about the 20-nation currency union's ability to withstand the effects of a global trade war. Industrial output dropped by 1.3% in June, mainly due to a sharp decline in Germany and weak consumer goods production, missing expectations of a 1.0% fall, according to Eurostat data on Thursday. Adding to the disappointment, Eurostat revised May's output growth down to 1.1% from 1.7%, showing the trend is weaker than expected. Meanwhile, GDP grew by 0.1% in the second quarter, matching earlier estimates, and employment also rose by 0.1%, as predicted, but this was slower than the 0.2% growth in the previous quarter. Recent positive data, like purchasing managers' indexes (PMI) and the European Commission's sentiment report, suggested that consumer spending was helping the euro zone handle trade tensions. However, newer figures, such as industrial orders and a key sentiment report from Germany, have cast doubt on this optimism. Despite this, investors remain hopeful for a slight recovery, supported by the recent EU trade deal with the U.S., which brings more stability, and Germany's plans to significantly increase government spending to boost growth. Despite the data the DAX continued its advance today as market participants appear to have shrugged off any concerns. Among individual shares, top gainers include Airbus SE, Vonovia SE and Rheinmetall AG with gains of 1.7%, 3.23% and 2.16% respectively. Technical Analysis - DAX Index From a technical standpoint, Looking at the daily chart below and we seem to be trading in a bear flag pattern at the moment. In theory, such a pattern is a precursor for a bullish breakout but the top end of the pattern rests some 140 points away. The period-14 RSI has bounced off the 50 level indicating some bullish momentum for the index moving forward. DAX (Germany 30) Daily Chart, August 14, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Now dropping down to a two-hour chart and we have broken out of what appears to be a bull flag/triangle pattern. Measuring the mouth of the pattern market participants could plot a potential target around 400 points away. However, the daily chart above will bring some stern resistance between 100 -150 pints away from current price. In theory an initial move higher could still bring gains of around 100-150 points, while a break above the bull flag on the daily, coil lead to a retest of the all-time highs at 24650 DAX (Germany 30) Two-Hour (H2), August 14, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - DAX Index (GER30) Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are Short on the DAX with 71% of traders net-short. I prefer to take a contrarian view toward crowd sentiment and thus the fact that the majority of traders are net-short suggests that the DAX Index prices could continue to rise in the near-term. Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2025 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

After an incredible rally that has put Ethereum on the path to possible new all-time highs, the altcoin is now facing something that could hinder its newfound path. This comes down to a CME gap that had formed on its way up, and historically, CME gaps tend to be filled before there is a bullish continuation. In this case, the CME gap is sitting almost 15% below its current price, and could mean that ETH is in for a crash. The CME Gap Waiting At $4,080 A crypto analyst has pointed out that the Ethereum price could be facing heavy resistance after rallying to levels not seen since 2021. There is also the formation of a CME gap that threatens to drag the price back down before the bullish rally can continue. The first of these is the resistance that is currently forming at around the $4,868 zone. This is the previous all-time high levels, so naturally, bears are beginning to mount pressure at this point that could ultimately lead to a price rejection. There is also a potential reversal zone skirting around the $4,680 area as well. The CME Gap is sitting very low at the $4,185-$4,080, suggesting that the price could retrace to this level to close the gap. If this happens, then late long positions could be trapped as the correction plays out, before reversing toward its all-time high levels once more. Interestingly, the analyst also points out the fact that the Ethereum price seems to be playing out the Elliot Wave Theory. According to the analysis, Ethereum is actually playing out a microwave 5 in the meantime. What this suggests is that the current uptrend is only the start, and that the main Wave 5 is yet to begin. Using the Elliot Wave Theory, Wave 5 is expected to be the final wave before the bear market. However, it is a major wave that has historically led to new all-time highs. If the bullish momentum does continue, then Ethereum could end up crossing the $5,000 level in quick succession. There is also the possibility of a deeper correction if bulls fail to maintain control above $4,000. The analyst points out that another CME gap is left to be filled as low as $3,417-$3,461. But if the price is able to cross toward $4,800, this would be invalidated.

Antofagasta (LON: ANTO) posted a nearly 60% jump in half-year core earnings on Thursday, driven by higher copper production and stronger prices for the metal crucial to the energy transition. Pretax profit rose to $1.16 billion from $712.6 million in the same period a year earlier. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped 60% to $2.23 billion, while its Ebitda margin increased by 12% to 58.8%. The Chilean miner attributed the gains to an 11% increase in copper output, lower cash costs, and higher prices for copper and gold. Copper production in the period reached 314,900 tonnes, largely on the back of increased output from the Centinela Concentrates and Los Pelambres plants. First-half copper sales grew 17%, while gold sales surged 53%. Antofagasta, majority-owned by Chile’s Luksic family, declared an interim dividend of 16.6 cents per share, more than double last year’s 7.9 cents. BMO analysts described the results as “solid,” with earnings meeting expectations but showing sequential improvement. “The robust financial performance announced today places Antofagasta’s margins at the top end of global pure-play copper producers and the highest level achieved since 2021,” chief executive officer Ivan Arriagada said in the statement. Four key projects Arriagada projected more than 30% production growth in the medium term, supported by four major projects. At Los Pelambres, work has begun to expand the desalination plant, extending mine life to 2051. At Centinela, construction continues on a second concentrator with capacity of 150,000 tonnes per day, targeted for first production in 2027. The Zaldivar mine received approval in May to extend its life to 2051, with a plan to shift from current water sources to seawater or third-party supplies by 2028. The company is also running large-scale tests of its proprietary Cuprochlor-T® technology to extract copper from primary sulphide tailings. The miner left production guidance unchanged at 660-700,000 tonnes, though Arriagada warned that maintenance at Los Pelambres in July and August could push output to the lower end of the range. Antofagasta operates four copper mines in Chile and is pursuing the stalled Twin Metals project in Minnesota, which was blocked after former US President Joe Biden’s administration revoked permits over environmental concerns. Arriagada said last month he saw “an opportunity” to advance Twin Metals after President Donald Trump moved to impose a 50% import tariff on copper.

US CPI for July in line with expectations – headline +0.2% m/m, core +0.3% m/m; annual rates at 2.7% and 3.1% respectively.Wall Street rallies, dollar softens – major indices post solid gains, US Treasury yields fall; markets almost fully price a 25bp Fed cut in September.No signs of tariff-driven inflation – businesses still absorbing higher costs in margins, with demand constraints limiting price hikes.Trump steps up pressure on the Fed – calls for swift rate cuts, threatens to sue Powell; growing number of FOMC members favour a more dovish stance.EUR/USD uptrend intact – next target at 1.18, with a break above opening the way towards 1.20–1.23.Market reaction to inflation data – Wall Street rallies, dollar softens July’s US inflation data came in line with expectations for headline CPI and slightly higher on the core measure, but markets interpreted the release as supportive of a more accommodative Federal Reserve. On 12 August, Wall Street indices closed the session with notable gains, reflecting increased investor optimism over the economic outlook and interest rate prospects. The US dollar weakened against major currencies, while US Treasury yields declined. Fed Funds Futures almost fully priced in a 25bp rate cut in September, with markets also increasing bets on further easing before year-end. The Fed’s dual mandate is shifting further towards prioritising maximum employment, a stance echoed by a growing number of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members. The upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, due at the end of next week, will offer Chair Jerome Powell an opportunity to adjust the policy narrative. Historically, the Central Bankers’ Symposium in the Rocky Mountains has often marked turning points in US monetary policy. Slower consumer price growth In July 2025, headline CPI rose by 0.2% m/m compared with 0.3% in June, while the annual rate held steady at 2.7%, in line with forecasts. Core inflation edged up to 0.3% m/m and 3.1% y/y from 0.2% and 2.9% respectively, modestly exceeding expectations on the yearly reading. Price breakdown – energy falls, food flat Energy prices fell by 1.1% m/m, while food prices were unchanged. In core goods (excluding vehicles), price growth slowed to +0.2% m/m from +0.55% in June. Increases were seen in furniture (+0.9%), used cars (+0.5%), sporting goods (+0.4%) and clothing (+0.1%). Household appliance prices unexpectedly declined by 0.9%. Seasonal gains in services Airfares rose by 4% m/m, while medical services costs increased by 0.7%, largely due to dental services. Shelter costs rose only modestly, by 0.2%. No tariff-driven inflation pressure The absence of signs of rising inflationary pressure following President Trump’s tariff measures suggests that businesses are absorbing higher costs in their margins rather than passing them on to consumers. This is supported by the latest NFIB survey, which showed the share of small firms planning price hikes in the next three months falling to 28% from 32%, pointing to demand-side constraints. Inflation and Fed policy outlook Analysts see little risk of inflation breaching 4% y/y this autumn, with growing odds of a decline below 2% by the end of 2026. The data reinforce expectations for a 25bp Fed rate cut in September, followed by another in December. Fed Funds Futures are currently pricing in 26bp of easing at the 17 September FOMC meeting and a total of 63bp by year-end. Market pricing of the US interest rate path based on Fed Funds Futures, source: Bloomberg Trump steps up pressure on Powell President Donald Trump has intensified his calls for swift rate cuts, even suggesting he might sue Fed Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of incompetence in overseeing building renovations at the central bank. FOMC members’ comments Thomas Barkin noted that the balance of risks for the labour market and inflation remains unclear, and that the Fed is well positioned to respond appropriately. Stephen Miran, a new Board Governor appointed by Trump, stated that there is no evidence of tariff-driven inflation, adding that rent increases are partly linked to illegal immigration. Jeff Schmid argued that while growth remains solid, inflation is still too high, warranting a moderately restrictive stance. He added, however, that he would be prepared to change his view should demand weaken materially. What next for the dollar? In the week ending 5 August, net short USD positions fell sharply by $4.3bn – the fourth consecutive weekly reduction. The net short now stands at $7bn, down from a local peak of $18.6bn in early July. It is worth noting that these figures are lagging indicators and do not yet reflect the most recent moves in FX markets. The unwinding of short positions was visible in EUR/USD’s July pullback, although the latest disappointing non-farm payrolls data reignited selling pressure on the dollar. The uptrend in the pair remains technically intact, and August’s inflation figures have only strengthened the likelihood of further gains. The next upside target for EUR/USD is 1.18, with a break above this level opening the way towards 1.20–1.23. Chart of the main currency pair EUR/USD, daily data, source: TradingView Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only. 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Yesterday, Bullish, a crypto exchange backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, one of the founders of PayPal, debuted on the NYSE under the ticker BLSH. Given the previous success of the Circle IPO, the electrifying performance was expected. BLSH more than doubled a few hours after listing for trading, effectively qualifying it as the best crypto stock to buy. Bullish Is The Best Crypto Stock To Buy? BLSH Erupts After NYSE IPO BLSH crypto stock traded for $37 a share during the IPO. This valuation was way above the expected $32 to $33 range and the initial $28 to $31 projected. The stock opened at $90 before soaring to $118 and closing at $68. Even at this valuation, BLSH investors were up 83% from the IPO price. Investors who sold at peaks had over 200% in net gains. At its peak, Bullish was valued at over $17 billion. (Source: Google Finance) The Bullish explosive launch, which coincided with rallying Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, was fueled by supportive regulatory tailwinds in the United States. Additionally, institutions are increasingly diversifying and gaining exposure to crypto. This endorsement is lifting altcoins and qualifying some as the next 1000X cryptos to explore. Notably, the BLSH stock surge compares to the explosive rally of the Circle CIRCL stock and the success of MicroStrategy MSTR and SharpLink SBET stocks. These public companies cumulatively control billions worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum, effectively making them some of the best crypto stocks to buy. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Bullish IPO: What You Need To Know Bullish is the parent company of CoinDesk and operates a crypto exchange. It was founded by Brendan Blumer in 2021. Blumer, it should be noted, was among the team that led the record-breaking, year-long $4 billion EOS ICO in 2017. The crypto exchange is currently led by Thomas Farley, the former president of the NYSE. Bullish is unique because it operates an institutional-focused crypto exchange targeting over 50 countries, excluding the United States. The Bullish IPO launched with 30 million shares, up from the initial 20.3 million, following a huge investor demand after a 20X oversubscription. The success of this Bullish IPO meant the public company raised $1.1 billion, a solid reflection of strong demand, which was further bolstered by interest from BlackRock, the world’s leading asset manager; and ARK Investment Management. These asset managers each committed up to $200 million at the IPO price. With BLSH stock prices rallying, Blumer, who controls 30.1% of the exchange, saw its position rise to $2.8 billion. Meanwhile, Kokuei Yuan, a board member controlling 26.7% of the company, saw his stake rise to $2.5 billion. On the other hand, Farley, who controls 3.8% of the company, saw his position increase to $355 million. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Why is The Bullish Stock Rallying? Several factors drove the BLSH surge, cementing its position as the best crypto stock to buy. First, the Bullish IPO is timely. It is when crypto is booming and Ethereum and Bitcoin bulls are targeting fresh all-time highs. Earlier today, Bitcoin soared to as high as $124,700, printing new all-time highs. Meanwhile, Ethereum is on the cusp of breaking $5,000, registering fresh all-time highs, and breaking above 2021 highs. The uptick also lifted top Solana meme coins, including TRUMP. Beyond the timely launch, the signing of the GENIUS Act into law in July 2025 created clarity that encourages institutions to explore and invest in some of the best cryptos to buy. Specifically, the GENIUS Act provides consumer protections for stablecoins, which, in turn, reduces uncertainty for the Bullish exchange and its stablecoin holdings. Bullish is also not new to crypto. The founder was involved with EOS, and the success of the EOS ICO provided precedent. However, the IPO is when the investment world had seen the success of the Circle IPO in June. CIRCL soared by over 150% after listing on the NYSE, setting a high bar for crypto stocks. Moreover, the BLSH stock was backed by BlackRock and ARK Investment. The two are heavily engaged in crypto, with BlackRock the top issuer of spot Ethereum and Bitcoin ETFs. DISCOVER: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in 2025 Bullish IPO: Is BLSH the Best Crypto Stock to Buy? Bullish IPO a huge success BLSH stock soars to over $110 hours after trading began Institutions flowing to crypto, lifting sentiment Will Ethereum and Bitcoin spike to new all-time highs The post Bullish IPO Blasts On Launch: Is BLSH the Best Crypto Stock to Buy? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Overview: The US dollar is mostly firmer today against the G10 currencies, but exceptions are notable. The yen is rising for the third consecutive session, apparently boosted by calls from the US Treasury Secretary for the Bank of Japan to raise rates. The Norwegian krone is slightly higher after the central bank kept rates steady and indicated another rate cut would be forthcoming this year. Sterling is the other exception to the greenback's bounce today after a stronger headline Q2 GDP lifted by government spending. The US dollar is firmer against most emerging market currencies. Intervention by Hong Kong Monetary Authority to defend the peg helped the HK dollar tick up and the PBOC set the dollar's reference rate at a new low for year, supporting the yuan's resilience today. Benchmark 10-year yields are mostly softer today. Japanese and Swiss yields are the exceptions and are a little firmer. Most European yields are off around two basis points, though the Gilts yields are a laggard today and are barely lower. The 10-year Treasury yield is 2.5 bp softer to near the 4.20% threshold. The US two-year yield is a little softer as it edges toward 3.65%, the low from earlier this month. It has not traded below there in more than three months. Asia Pacific equities were mostly lower today. South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and India are the noted exceptions. The Stoxx 600 in Europe is advancing for the third consecutive session, which if sustained, would be the longest rally in a month. US index futures are little changed but softer. Gold has traded on both sides of yesterday's range and is little changed late in the European morning. September WTI has steadied today (~$62.70-$63.10) after slipping below $62 yesterday for the first time since early June. USD: The Dollar Index tested the trendline connecting last month's two lows. It held on a closing basis and is found slightly above 97.65 today. However, it did settle below the (61.8%) retracement of last month's rally found near 97.85. It has steadied today and is holding below 98.00. Chicago Fed's Goolsbee comments, striking a more cautious tone on the rate outlook, failed to have much impact and the September Fed funds futures are pricing in a small chance of a 50 bp cut next month. The expected rise in July PPI that will likely be reported today is unlikely to deter the market. Still, a 50 bp cut, however, does not seem particularly likely now, but before the next FOMC meeting, another employment report (and the BLS preliminary benchmark revisions to the establishment survey) and CPI and PPI will be in hand. Market participants and the media have emphasized the weakness of nonfarm payroll growth and the sharp downward revision of past months. Yet, Fed Chair Powell was explicit at last month's press conference the key is not job growth as the administration's immigrant policies have reduced the supply of labor at the same moment that the demand has fallen. Therefore, Powell argued the key now is the unemployment rate, which captures the balance of the two forces. Also, today sees weekly initial jobless claims for the week ending August 8. While most survey data have pointed to a deterioration of the labor market, weekly jobless claims were an exception. Initial claims fell from mid-June through mid-July when they reached three-month lows. Weekly initial claims rose for the past two weeks, and the median forecast in Bloomberg's survey anticipates a small decline. The four-week moving average, used to smooth the noisy time series has fallen for the past seven weeks, but likely rose last week. On the other hand, continuing claims are elevated at their highest level since November 2021. The data seems to confirm that businesses may not be laying off workers very aggressively, the hiring has slowed. EURO: The euro peaked yesterday near $1.1730 shortly before the North American session. It consolidated after dipping below $1.1700 in early North American turnover. The trendline connecting the July highs comes in near $1.1745 today. If that is taken out the next target is the late July high slightly below $1.1790, but instead, the euro is trading with a heavier bias today and is fraying yesterday's low (~$1.1670) in the European morning. A break of $1.1660 could see $1.1600. There are option at $1.17 for 3.9 bln euros that expire today. The eurozone's data had a negligible impact. Q2 GDP's initial 0.1% increase was left unchanged. The quarter ended on a soft note, with industrial output falling by 1.3% after a 1.7% increase in May. Economists do not expect growth here in Q3 to be much better. In fact, the year-over-year rate is seen slowing to below 1% in Q3 for the first time since Q2 24. CNY: The dollar was sold from the upper end of its recent range on Monday and Tuesday, slightly shy of CNH7.20 to fray the lower end of its recent range yesterday near CNH7.1755. The losses were extended to about CNH7.1680 today, a nearly three-week low. It bounced back to around CNH7.1770 in the European morning where sellers were met. More important chart support is seen in the CNH7.1600-30 area. The PBOC set the dollar's reference rate at a new low for the year today (CNY7.1337 vs. CNY7.1350 yesterday). Chinese officials are allowing the yuan to appreciate against the dollar but more slowly than some of its critics want. The onshore yuan has risen by a little more than 1.75% against the dollar this year, which is slightly less than the inflation differential and two-year interest rate differential would imply. US Treasury Secretary Bessent is arguing against accepting Chinese investment as part of a trade agreement because of the need to re-shore critical industries away from China. JPY: Softer US rates helped pressure the dollar lower against the yen. It fell from a seven-day high on Tuesday near JPY148.50 to a low yesterday around JPY147.10. It is lower for the third consecutive session. Ostensibly with the help of US Treasury Secretary Bessent calling on Japan to raise interest rates, the greenback was sold through the shelf forged last week in the JPY146.60-70 area. It found support near JPY146.20, a three-week low. The next technical target is closer to JPY145.85. The US 10-year yield fell by a little more than five basis points yesterday to settle at a five-day low (~4.23%) and is softer today to test 4.20%. The yield has traded below there in three sessions this quarter and two of which took place this month. The swaps market saw an increase to almost 16 bp from 14 bp, the likely rate hike before the end of the year. It is the most this month, but settled July closer to 18 bp. Japan provides its first estimate for Q2 GDP first thing tomorrow. The median forecast in Bloomberg's survey is for a 0.4% annualized expansion in Q2 after a 0.2% contraction in Q1. The key change may have been net exports, which shaved Q1 GDP by 0.8% and may have contributed 0.1% in Q2. But part of this may be offset by the unwinding of inventory accumulation. Consumer spending looks steady around 0.1%, while capex may have slowed. GBP: Sterling rose by about 0.5% yesterday to lead the G10 currencies. It is also the best performer this month, with a 2.75% coming into today. Unlike the euro, sterling recorded the session high yesterday in North American session, late in the European day. The high was about $1.3585, and it has been extended marginally today to slightly above $1.3590, its best level in a month. Options for GBP953 mln at $1.36 expire today. Above $1.3600, may encounter nearby resistance around $1.3630. The UK reported that growth held up better than expected in Q2. The 0.3% expansion compares with 0.1% projections and 0.7% in Q1. The increased government spending (1.2% vs -0.4% in Q1) helped offset the slower consumption (0.1% vs 0.4%) and business investment (-1.1% vs 2.0%). Net exports also deteriorated. Still, the economy appeared to end the quarter on better footing, with June's monthly GDP rising by 0.4%, twice the median forecast in Bloomberg's survey, helped by stronger industrial outputs, services, and construction. Growth is expected to remain subdued in H2 25. The Bank of England forecasts 1.3% growth this year. The IMF projects 1.2% and the median forecast in Bloomberg's survey is 1.1%, the same as last year. The swaps market has 17 bp of easing discounted before the end of the year, of about a 65% chance of a cut, down from 100% before last week's BOE meeting. CAD: The Canadian dollar was sidelined yesterday. During the North American session, the US dollar chopped in a 10-tick range on either side of CAD1.3765. It is posting an outside day by trading on both sides of yesterday's range. The technical significance depends on the close. A break of the CAD1.3720-25 area would be notable. It could signal a move toward CAD1.3640. On top side, only a move above the CAD1.3800-10 area would undermine this less favorable outlook for the greenback. Still, the pattern for the Canadian dollar to perform relatively better in a strong US dollar environment and typically a laggard in a weak dollar environment continues to be borne out. Last month, during the greenback's first monthly bonce this year, the Canadian dollar was the best performer in the G10, losing only 1.80%. This month, as the US dollar has weakened, the Canadian dollar is the weakest of the G10 currencies, appreciating by about 0.60%. AUD: The Australian dollar stalled yesterday in European late morning turnover slightly below $0.6565. It traded to almost $0.6570 before reversing lower. A break of yesterday's low near $0.6515 would weaken the technical tone, and a close below $0.6500, which it has not done for six sessions, would be disappointing. Australia grew 24.5k jobs in July, of which a whopping 60.5k were full-time positions (part-time work fell by 35.9k jobs). It had lost 36.6k full-time jobs in June but the July increase was the most since February 2024. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.2% from 4.3%. It was steady at 4.1% in the first five months of the year. The participation rate was steady at 67.0%, after the June estimate was revised down from 67.1% to 67.0%. It is unchanged now from the end of 2024. The report saw the odds of a cut at the next meeting in late September pared to about 30% from the anticipated trajectory of monetary policy. There is about 40% chance of a cut at the next meeting at the end of September from about 45%. The futures market has about 38 bp of cuts discounted before the end of the year, down from 40 bp yesterday. The futures market has a terminal rate of around 3%, while the swaps market sees it closer to 2.75% from the 3.60% current target. MXN: The dollar made a new low for year against the Mexican peso and Brazilian real yesterday, but it recovered against both and settled 0.20%-0.25% better. The MXN18.50 area is proving to be formidable. It stopped last month's descent, and then the market got a running start at it again after having peaked a little below MXN19.00 on August 1. It made a marginal new low yesterday but recovered approaching MXN18.51. It set session highs around midday in NY near MXN18.6650. Initial resistance may be in the MXN18.70-75 area. The dollar recorded the session and year's low yesterday shortly after the local markets opened, reaching almost BRL5.38. It recovered to around BRL5.41 around the same time that it peaked against the peso. The greenback spent the NY afternoon consolidating in a narrow range, mostly BRL5.3920-BRL5.4030. Disclaimer

Crypto is pumping, and behind this uptick is the ever-firm BTC USD price, which skyrocketed above $123,000 yesterday, printing fresh all-time highs of over $124,700. Although the momentum has dropped since the break higher, the uptrend remains, and every low may be an opportunity for aggressive bulls targeting $130,000 this week and $150,000 by the end of Q3 2025. Bitcoin Prints Fresh All-Time Highs of Nearly $125,000 From the daily chart, the BTC ▲1.30% price is up by over 60% after dropping to as low as $74,000 in April 2025. At spot rates, buyers are squarely in control, and a close above $125,000 this week will be the spring for $130,000. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.42T24h7d30d1yAll time What’s needed is a clean close above $125,000 and the chop of July 2025. If this breakout is with higher trading volume, there will be a high probability of the Bitcoin price rallying to as high as $130,000 within the next 48 hours. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 BTC USD Rally: What’s Driving the Surge? The Bitcoin rally of the past three months has cemented its position as a leading asset, drawing institutions and even comments from politicians and regulators. Pro-Crypto Policies Increasingly, more policymakers in the United States and Europe have been monitoring crypto, with their eyes on Bitcoin, thanks in part to its stellar performance over the past eight months after Donald Trump became president for the second time. Under Trump, Gary Gensler resigned in January, and Paul Watkins was installed in his place. Under his leadership, the United States SEC has expressed full support for some of the best cryptos to buy, including Bitcoin. The regulator has since dropped lawsuits against Ripple, Binance, and Coinbase. Three proposals, including CLARITY, GENIUS, and Anti-CBDC acts, have since been discussed. The GENIUS Act has since been passed into law. The CLARITY Act, which classifies Bitcoin as a commodity under the CFTC, will also see it enacted in the coming months. On the other hand, the Anti-CBDC Act, which bans the creation of a CBDC in the United States, preserves Bitcoin’s appeal as a decentralized alternative. Moreover, Trump signed an executive order establishing a United States Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Under the proposed BITCOIN Act, the United States is supposed to acquire 1 million BTC over five years, signalling Bitcoin’s role as a national strategic asset. States like Arizona and New Hampshire have since launched their reserves. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Public Companies Hoarding BTC Public companies are doubling down on digital gold, adding it to their treasury assets. The more they buy BTC from the secondary market, the more scarce the asset becomes, reducing its circulating supply. This, in turn, drives prices higher, lifting the demand for some of the best meme coin ICOs in the process. According to Bitcoin Treasuries, the top 100 public companies own over 800,000 BTC. (Source: Bitcoin Treasuries) Leading the way is Strategy, which controls 628,946 BTC as of August 14. Other notable holders are MARA Holdings and XXI, which control over 93,000 BTC. Tesla, Block, and GameStop also hold BTC in their balance sheets, creating scarcity and pushing the BTC USD price higher. Institutional Demand Beyond public companies hoarding BTC, there is a massive inflow from institutions. Latest data from SosoValue shows that institutions bought $86.91 million of spot Bitcoin ETFs on August 13, pushing their total holdings to over $158 billion. (Source: Soso Value) Institutions, holding shares of various spot Bitcoin ETFs, including those issued by BlackRock and Fidelity, now control over 6.4% of all BTC in the circulating supply. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Macroeconomic Tailwinds Bitcoin is also seen as a hedge against inflation. Inflation in the United States is rising, but the Federal Reserve will likely slash rates in September. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects a “series of rate cuts,” starting with a 50 basis point cut in September. Goldman Sachs expects the Federal Reserve to cut rates by 75 basis points by the end of the year. Still, according to the CME FedWatch, there is a 98% chance of the Federal Reserve keeping rates unchanged at around the 4.25-4.50% range. (Source: CME FedWatch) Regardless of the margin, any rate cut makes Bitcoin and other safe havens appealing. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 BTC USD Prints New ATH, Bitcoin Price To $130K This Week? BTC USD breaks $123,000, prints fresh all-time highs Will the Bitcoin price reach $130,000 this week? Bitcoin is soaring on favorable crypto policies, institutional demand, and accumulation by public companies Will the Federal Reserve cut rates in September? The post BTC USD Slams New ATH at $124K: Can Bitcoin Price Hit $130K This Week? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has been selling small amounts of ETH during price rallies, while BlackRock continues to buy. The latest transactions concluded for 2,800 ETH worth $12,7 million. As they have stated, these sales are part of normal treasury management to fund development, research, and events. Vitalik Buterin says the sales help Ethereum Foundation stay neutral and avoid risks with staking, such as being forced to stake sides during controversial upgrades. At the same time, BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF has been pulling in large amounts of institutional money. EthereumPriceMarket CapETH$572.98B24h7d30d1yAll time Why the Ethereum Foundation Sells During Strong Markets The EFs’ ETH sales are not panic moves or price predictions; they are simply a way to turn some of their holdings into cash for operations. EF’s treasury policy, introduced in June 2025, focuses on transparency, keeping enough funds for at least 2.5 years of expenses, and limiting spending to 15% of its reserve yearly. This shows that both can happen simultaneously without conflicting with each other. In the future, EF might add staking if it can do so without losing neutrality, but for now, converting small amounts of ETH to cash remains its primary funding method. Overall, it looks like both entities have a strategy, and they are following it without worrying too much if one gets in the way of the other. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Ethereum Foundation is selling $12,7 million into BlackRock buyings? ETH hovering below ATH with ETF’s amassing more than $500 million in single day. The post Ethereum Foundation Sells Into Strength: Will Vitalik Dump on BlackRock? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.