Redator

The Trump-backed crypto venture World Liberty Financial is looking to raise $1.5 billion through a mix of digital assets and traditional capital. Internal documents suggest the deal involves a strategic partnership with ALT5 Sigma, a publicly traded blockchain company. It’s a hefty target and one that could reshape how political families tap into crypto markets. WLFI Token at the Center of the Deal Roughly half the funds will come in the form of World Liberty’s own token, WLFI. The other half is set to be used for buying up more of that token, clearing debt, and covering everything from legal bills to business expenses. It’s not a typical raise, and that’s part of what makes it so telling. This isn’t about splashy marketing. It looks more like an attempt to shore up financial control and tighten the company’s grip on its token economy. The Trump Name Is Still Front and Center Donald Trump is listed as co-founder emeritus of the firm, while his sons, Eric and Don Jr., are still deeply involved. Eric is taking a seat on ALT5’s board, and Zach Witkoff is stepping in as CEO of the blockchain company. So the Trump family’s involvement isn’t just symbolic. They’re actively steering this ship and staying closely tied to how it plays out in both public and crypto-facing markets. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in August2025 Merging Two Financial Worlds This raise is more than just about dollars. It’s an attempt to fuse public capital markets with private token ecosystems. On one side, you have a Nasdaq-listed company, and on the other, a crypto firm issuing its own token. That’s not a combination you see every day. It also hints at a future where token-funded companies start playing by public market rules, or at least try to. EthereumPriceMarket CapETH$511.37B24h7d30d1yAll time Stablecoin and Token Building Already Underway World Liberty isn’t starting from scratch. The company has already rolled out WLFI and a stablecoin called USD1, which it claims is backed by U.S. Treasuries. This raise could bulk up both, giving the firm more firepower to promote and protect its digital offerings. It could also help settle earlier obligations while laying the groundwork for the next phase of expansion. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Investors Watching the ALT5 Reaction When word of the partnership leaked, ALT5’s stock ticked up slightly. It wasn’t a huge jump, but it was enough to show that investors are at least intrigued. Still, some are wary of tying public shareholder funds to a token that’s closely controlled by insiders. That tension is likely to follow the deal all the way through execution. The Bigger Picture for Crypto and Public Finance What happens next depends on whether World Liberty can actually pull this off. If they do, it could become a playbook for how other crypto-first firms raise large sums without going the usual venture route. But the risks are clear, especially when the funding model is so closely tied to a token’s value. It’s an ambitious move, with a bold mix of politics, crypto, and public finance. Whether it works or not, it’s another sign that the lines between these worlds are getting harder to separate. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways World Liberty Financial plans to raise $1.5 billion using a mix of traditional capital and its WLFI token The Trump family is heavily involved, with Eric Trump joining the board of ALT5 and Donald Trump listed as co-founder emeritus Half the raise will be used to support WLFI’s token economy, settle debt, and fund operations The deal blends public markets with crypto, linking a Nasdaq-listed firm to a private token ecosystem World Liberty already launched its WLFI token and USD1 stablecoin, aiming to expand both with the new funding The post Trump Family’s Crypto Venture Plans to Raise $1.5 Billion appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Stripe is working on a new blockchain called Tempo. It is designed to process payments quickly and is being developed with the backing of crypto investment firm Paradigm. The project is still early, with only a handful of people working on it. The existence of Tempo came to light through a job listing looking for engineers with experience in zero-knowledge proofs and Ethereum scaling. Built to Speak Ethereum’s Language Tempo will be compatible with the Ethereum ecosystem. That means developers can write smart contracts in Solidity and plug into existing tools. The idea is not to reinvent the wheel but to offer a familiar environment with better performance for payments. It allows Stripe to get into blockchain without making developers learn something entirely new. Stripe Is Stacking the Pieces Tempo does not come out of nowhere. Stripe recently bought Bridge, a company focused on stablecoin infrastructure, and Privy, a wallet tech provider. With those deals, Stripe controls the issuance layer, the user-facing wallet, and soon, the chain that connects it all. Tempo adds the final piece, giving Stripe its own lane to move stablecoins around without depending on third-party chains. DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Stablecoin Rules Now Offer a Clearer Path The timing is not accidental. With the GENIUS Act passed in the U.S., there is finally some clarity around how stablecoins should be handled. Stripe has long been cautious about entering crypto directly, but this new law provides a safer lane. Tempo could give Stripe the flexibility to build under its own rules while still aligning with the broader regulatory picture. BitcoinPriceMarket CapBTC$2.36T24h7d30d1yAll time A Token Isn’t the Priority Right Now There has been no official word on whether Tempo will have its own token. That is unusual for a blockchain project, but Stripe has different goals. The focus seems to be on building infrastructure, not launching a new coin. Still, the door is open. If a token ever fits into the broader plan, Stripe could revisit the idea later. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 This Goes Beyond Just Payments Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison recently said stablecoins are ready for business use. Tempo could help Stripe build something that matches the speed and cost of traditional networks, but without needing to rely on them. Instead of settling for being a crypto-friendly payment processor, Stripe is putting itself in a position to control every layer of the stack. Stripe’s Next Move Could Reshape the Space If Stripe pulls this off, it will become more than just a player in the payment space. It could end up controlling how stablecoins move from end to end, from wallet to blockchain to bank. That gives it leverage in both the crypto world and the traditional one. Tempo might still be in stealth, but the pieces are lining up. Stripe looks like it wants more than a slice of the crypto pie. It wants the oven, the kitchen, and the recipe too. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways Stripe is quietly building a new blockchain called Tempo, focused on fast and efficient payments. Tempo is Ethereum-compatible, allowing developers to use Solidity and existing tools without starting from scratch. With recent acquisitions of Bridge and Privy, Stripe is stacking wallet, stablecoin, and blockchain layers to own the full payments stack. The GENIUS Act gave regulatory clarity around stablecoins, paving the way for Stripe to build Tempo without immediate legal uncertainty. There’s no token for Tempo yet, signaling that Stripe is prioritizing infrastructure over speculation, for now. The post Stripe Is Quietly Building a Payments-Focused Blockchain appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Bitcoin price is correcting gains from the $122,250 zone. BTC is now consolidating and might aim for a move toward the $120,500 resistance zone. Bitcoin started a fresh increase above the $118,500 zone. The price is trading above $118,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $119,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken). The pair might start another increase if it clears the $120,500 resistance zone. Bitcoin Price Aims Fresh Increase Bitcoin price found support near the $115,500 zone and started a fresh increase. BTC was able to climb above the $117,500 and $118,800 resistance levels. The price even cleared the $120,500 resistance to move into a positive zone. Finally, the price tested the $122,250 resistance zone. A high was formed at $122,273 and the price recently corrected some gains. There was a move below the $120,500 level. The price dipped below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $116,282 swing low to the $122,273 high. Besides, there was a break below a key bullish trend line with support at $119,500 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now trading above $118,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. Immediate resistance on the upside is near the $119,250 level. The first key resistance is near the $120,500 level. The next resistance could be $121,250. A close above the $121,250 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $123,200 resistance level. Any more gains might send the price toward the $124,000 level. The main target could be $125,000. More Losses In BTC? If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $120,500 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $118,200 level. The first major support is near the $117,800 level. The next support is now near the $116,550 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $115,500 support in the near term. The main support sits at $113,500, below which BTC might continue to move down. Technical indicators: Hourly MACD – The MACD is now losing pace in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now below the 50 level. Major Support Levels – $118,200, followed by $116,550. Major Resistance Levels – $119,250 and $120,500.

The cryptocurrency market has seen a notable rebound in the lead-up to Tuesday’s US Consumer Price Index (CPI) release, with Bitcoin climbing above $122,000 over the weekend and Ethereum rising by nearly 20% in the past week to more than $4,300. The gains have coincided with improved sentiment in US equity markets, with QCP Capital noting that the correlation between Bitcoin and equity performance has strengthened since mid-July. Total market capitalization for digital assets also surged above $4.1 trillion, reflecting an increase on Monday. The upcoming CPI report is being closely monitored for signs of inflationary trends. Consensus expectations point to a year-over-year increase of 10 basis points in headline inflation, bringing it to 2.8%. QCP Capital stated that a softer reading could reinforce expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, while a higher-than-expected figure might disrupt the rally in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Analysts suggest that the market is preparing for both outcomes, with positioning in derivatives markets indicating hedging on the downside while still leaving room for upward momentum. Bitcoin and ETH Derivatives Data Signals Market Caution Options market activity shows that traders are actively preparing for volatility around the CPI release. QCP Capital highlighted demand for short-dated Bitcoin puts in the $115,000–$118,000 range, suggesting that some market participants are protecting against a potential price drop. At the same time, there has been continued short-call covering, indicating reduced willingness to bet against further gains. Aggregated Bitcoin options open interest stands at $43 billion, close to the $49 billion peak recorded in July. The firm expects implied volatility to remain elevated until the CPI release, after which it could compress if Bitcoin fails to break through resistance levels. Ethereum options activity is similarly strong, with open interest at $13.9 billion, the highest level so far in 2025 and approaching the all-time high of $14.6 billion set in March 2024. Elevated open interest in both BTC and ETH suggests that traders are heavily engaged in positioning around macroeconomic events, with the CPI print seen as a key catalyst for short-term price action. Institutional Flows and Longer-Term Outlook Beyond derivatives markets, institutional activity and flows into spot ETFs remain a focal point for analysts. CoinShares data shows that digital asset investment products saw $571 million in net inflows last week, driven by gains in both Bitcoin and Ethereum. QCP Capital noted that the market has absorbed recent large-scale sales from long-term holders without a breakdown in price trends, indicating resilience in market structure. Despite short-term uncertainty, some analysts maintain a bullish view for the remainder of the year. Paul Howard, Senior Director at Wincent, reiterated his forecast of $150,000 for Bitcoin before year-end, citing historical post-halving cycle trends. Howard noted that historically, post-halving years have seen significant rallies, adding that while there may be periods of consolidation, the overall market structure suggests higher prices are achievable in 2025. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

The crypto market kicked off the week with bullish momentum as LayerZero Foundation revealed a $110 million proposal to acquire the Stargate cross-chain bridge. This sparked a sharp rally in both LayerZero’s ZRO token and Stargate’s STG token, which surged 26% and 20% respectively in the past 24 hours. The proposal, posted on Stargate DAO’s forum, seeks to dissolve the Stargate DAO and phase out the STG token. In its place, holders would swap each STG for 0.08634 ZRO through a fixed-rate redemption contract. This shift would make ZRO the sole token powering the merged ecosystem while maintaining uninterrupted bridge. If approved, LayerZero will assume full control over Stargate’s operations, with revenues redirected toward ZRO buybacks, a move intended to strengthen the token’s long-term value. LayerZero (ZRO) Price Outlook Amid Bullish Momentum Following the announcement, ZRO climbed to $2.30, accompanied by a 540% surge in trading volume. Analysts suggest that breaking above $2.80 could pave the way toward the $3 psychological level. In parallel, the STG token experienced a rise of over 20% within the last 24 hours, reaching $0.20 at present. This positive movement reflects investor confidence in the token’s prospective performance in the cryptosphere. While enthusiasm is high, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions from STG holders, with some arguing the swap undervalues their tokens and removes staking rewards. The proposal requires a 70% supermajority vote from the DAO to pass, with community discussions underway. Strategic Push for a Unified Cross-Chain Ecosystem LayerZero’s acquisition proposal is structured as a strategic alignment intended to combine governance, improve technical efficiency, and support ongoing development. Stargate, launched by LayerZero in 2022, has processed over $70 billion in cross-chain transactions but has struggled to translate its network activity into sustained STG token growth. CEO Bryan Pellegrino described the plan as a “single unified direction” for both projects, allowing Stargate to execute on an ambitious roadmap while benefiting from LayerZero’s broader infrastructure. Supporters believe merging tokens will eliminate inefficiencies and consolidate brand recognition in the competitive cross-chain market. If approved, the LayerZero–Stargate merger could reshape the cross-chain interoperability landscape, positioning ZRO for continued gains in the weeks ahead. Cover image from ChatGPT, ZROUSD chart from Tradingview

In his latest market update, the crypto analyst known as VisionPulsed tempers bullish hopes for Dogecoin, arguing that a move to the long-sought $1 mark will require a precise alignment of market forces that has yet to materialize. While acknowledging speculative bursts are possible, he warned that the broader setup remains incomplete, keeping the meme coin’s parabolic breakout on hold. How Can Dogecoin Reach $1? He laid out a data-driven case: unless Ethereum breaks decisively to new highs while the halving-cycle timing extension and global M2 liquidity backdrop stay supportive, Dogecoin’s next parabolic leg remains out of reach. The immediate backdrop, he notes, is a bounce in Bitcoin dominance that again sidelined the prospect of a broad altcoin rally. Ethereum has improved the setup by making a new cycle high and clearing the $4,000 zone, but it now sits wedged beneath the final two technical hurdles from 2021—“the 2021 high in May and the 2021 high, which is the all-time high.” He frames the sequence plainly: “Once ETH breaks this high, ETH has officially gone onto a bull market.” Until that confirmation arrives, he treats talk of an imminent “Doge to the moon” phase as premature. Price action on Dogecoin itself has not helped the cause. Vision Pulsed highlights a conspicuous topping-tail candle that formed after traders “piled in,” calling it “definitely not the candle you want to see.” He points to a prior instance where a similar wick preceded a local reversal, using it to caution against extrapolating short squeezes into sustainable trend. In his read, Dogecoin remains in a broad, choppy accumulation—an area he sketches as a bottoming process that can include fakeouts on both sides—rather than a confirmed uptrend. Even in a constructive scenario, he warns that failure of the broader conditions could force “one more” downside sweep before any genuine altseason takes hold. Timing is a second pillar of his analysis. He flags the 486-day mark from the most recent Bitcoin halving as a recurring inflection in prior cycles. “We are fastly approaching what would be considered the final bull-run push in 2021… 486 days from the halving,” he says, recalling that both of the last two cycles saw a sizable correction and then a final rally around that window. With April 19, 2024 as the halving date, August 18, 2025 is the analogous threshold this time—a date he treats as context, not destiny. “There are no guarantees,” he stresses, reflecting on the limits of historical rhyme. Liquidity—through the lens of the popular M2 money supply overlay—remains supportive, but not determinative in his view. He acknowledges that “everyone and their mother” watches M2 and that it currently “says there is a chance for a rally in this time period.” Yet he underscores that the relationship is not perpetual: in past cycles, M2 continued higher even as crypto rolled into a bear market. The takeaway is pragmatic and non-dogmatic: “We’ll use it until it doesn’t work,” but it cannot be a guarantee of an extended bull run on its own. From this macro-and-liquidity scaffold, he distills a clear gating function for Dogecoin’s headline target. For a sustained advance toward one dollar, three conditions should align: Ethereum must break above its 2021 highs to confirm a fresh bull market; the halving-cycle “extension” window—centered on the ~486-day post-halving rhythm—needs to open the historical runway for a terminal rally; and global M2 expansion needs to stay supportive enough to keep risk appetite. Inside Dogecoin’s own tape, he allows for meaningful volatility without structural change. “Could we have bullish swings back and forth to 30 cents? Sure,” he says, framing such moves as tradable ranges within a larger consolidation rather than the start of the terminal advance. What would convert that range into trend is not a single candlestick or an isolated breakout, but the multi-asset alignment he repeats throughout the update. At press time, DOGE traded at $0.22.

Ethereum (ETH) has extended its bullish run, surging past $4,300 and posting a staggering 45% gain over the past month. The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency now eyes the $5,000 milestone, triggered by unprecedented whale accumulation, institutional inflows, and a wave of regulatory clarity in the U.S. In just the past four weeks, over $4.17 billion has flowed into Ethereum-focused investment products, with entities like Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and BitGo facilitating large-scale purchases. One “mysterious institution” reportedly acquired 221,166 ETH worth nearly $1 billion in a single week, signaling long-term confidence at elevated prices. Whale Buying and Institutional Inflows Strengthen Ethereum (ETH)’s Bullish Case Whale addresses holding more than 10,000 ETH have climbed to their highest level in a year, while public companies added 304,000 ETH ($1.3B) to their treasuries last week alone. Notably, BitMine Immersion Technologies accounted for $900 million of these purchases. Ethereum spot ETFs have also recorded significant inflows, with $327 million added in just the first week of August. Analysts note that the combination of whale activity and institutional buying has historically preceded major rallies, and with ETH breaking above the stubborn $4,000 resistance for the first time since 2021, market sentiment remains firmly bullish. Regulatory Clarity and Network Growth Add Fuel to the Rally Recent U.S. regulatory developments have removed key uncertainties from the crypto market. The White House’s new digital asset framework, the Ripple-SEC case resolution, and President Donald Trump’s executive order allowing crypto in retirement accounts have boosted Ethereum’s legitimacy in traditional finance. On-chain data reflects the momentum, with daily Ethereum transactions averaging 1.74 million and over 36 million ETH, roughly 30% of supply, locked in staking contracts. The ETH/BTC ratio has also climbed to near yearly highs, indicating a shift in market preference toward Ethereum. Bottom Line If ETH can break the $4,430 resistance, its previous all-time high of $4,860 is within reach. From there, bullish projections point to $5,000 and even $6,500 in 2025. While short-term corrections remain possible, the structural trend suggests Ethereum may be entering a new phase of price discovery. Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD chart from Tradingview

Chainlink’s growing role in SWIFT’s blockchain integration is drawing comparisons to XRP’s long-standing ambitions in the same sector. Reports have disclosed that SWIFT already uses Chainlink technology to connect more than 11,000 banks to public and private blockchains, a move some believe gives Chainlink an edge in real-world adoption. Chainlink’s Ties With Global Finance Supporters point out that Chainlink’s work now spans major financial players such as the DTCC, Mastercard, central banks, and top asset managers. The collaboration with SWIFT is central to this progress, enabling data and transaction flows between multiple blockchains. When asked which blockchain would carry these transactions, Chainlink advocate Zack Rynes said any of the hundreds available could serve that role, leaving the door open for XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL) to participate. He did point out though that, in reality, Swift and Chainlink have been collaborating to link up 11,500 Swift-affiliated lenders to both public and private blockchain networks. Some XRP backers have pushed back, suggesting that outside criticism is a sign the token is nearing a major breakthrough. Rynes disagreed, arguing that his stance comes from the belief that Chainlink’s $14 billion market cap is too low compared to XRP’s $188 billion, especially given Chainlink’s institutional achievements. Different Views From Ripple Supporters The debate also drew in Dom Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, who responded to a remark from influencer Ansem that Chainlink is what Ripple would be “if it actually worked.” Kwok said he has personally seen Ripple’s technology used in real-world cases, but has yet to see Chainlink deployed in the same way or meet developers actively building with it. He noted that time spent directly with builders often reveals which technology is working at scale. Chainlink’s partnership with SWIFT dates back to 2016 but has accelerated recently. Both announced a proof-of-concept at the most recent Chainlink SmartCon event, utilizing the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to interconnect SWIFT’s legacy messages with multiple blockchains. In May 2023, tests with BNY Mellon and BNP Paribas successfully transferred tokenized assets between chains. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Earlier today, Bitcoin (BTC) surged past $122,000 for the first time since July 13, coming close to a new all-time high (ATH) before paring some gains, trading slightly above $119,500 at the time of writing. Bitcoin Eyes New ATH With Retail-Driven Rally According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor ShayanMarkets, the average executed order size in the Bitcoin futures market has declined significantly over the past few months. This suggests that the recent price rally is being driven primarily by retail investors rather than institutional players. For context, the average executed order size is calculated by dividing the total traded volume by the number of executed orders. This metric helps identify whether market activity is dominated by retail participants or large-scale investors. ShayanMarkets shared the following chart showing large yellow and green clusters in late 2024 and early 2025, which corresponded with substantial whale inflows and fueled strong bullish rallies. However, recent weeks have seen a noticeable rise in red clusters, indicating that smaller, retail-sized orders are taking a larger share of market activity. The analyst noted that historically, whale dominance near market peaks has often coincided with local tops. Whale involvement in the BTC futures market has declined since Q2 2025, which could mean that institutional buyers are either holding existing positions from lower levels or waiting for more favorable re-entry points. ShayanMarkets concluded: This dynamic leaves Bitcoin in a position where a bullish breakout above its prior ATH could materialize in the coming weeks, unless renewed whale activity emerges to offload positions, triggering a distribution phase. Recent on-chain analysis suggests that BTC may currently be in a distribution phase. In a separate CryptoQuant post, analyst BorisVest noted that investors are employing a strategy called Smart dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to accumulate BTC at current levels ahead of potential price appreciation. Smart DCA is an upgraded version of the traditional DCA strategy, where investment amounts and timing are adjusted based on market conditions instead of fixed intervals. In crypto, it often uses indicators like moving average or RSI to increase buying during undervaluation phases. Is BTC At Risk Of A Price Correction? While rising retail participation in the BTC futures market can signal organic demand for the flagship cryptocurrency, other indicators point to a possible price correction that could disrupt Bitcoin’s bullish momentum. For example, fresh on-chain data shows an uptick in Binance whale-to-exchange flows, often a precursor to near-term price pullbacks. In addition, recent changes in Bitcoin whales’ realized cap suggest a degree of fragility in the market. That said, not all signals are bearish. Some analysts believe BTC could be gearing up for another rally in the second half of the year, with targets as high as $150,000. At press time, BTC trades at $119,583, up 0.8% over the past 24 hours.

Are bouyant markets due for a reality check? U.S. Tariffs: Markets Stay Calm, But Inflation and Stagflation Risks Loom Global markets have so far shrugged off the latest round of U.S. tariffs, a stark contrast to the panic selling that followed the Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs announcement. But beneath the calm, questions are piling up. With higher tariff rates imposed on August 7, 2025, the real economic impact has yet to hit. Is Wall Street trading with blinders on, betting on political reversals, or simply hoping the fallout will be contained? NAS100 Weekly Chart Why the Calm May Be Misleading Is this the calm before the inevitable storm? Jobs Market Softening and Sticky Inflation Early signs point to slower job growth combined with persistent inflation. If this trend continues, the Federal Reserve may face a policy dilemma as cutting rates to support growth could risk fueling inflation, especially if tariffs push prices higher. Betting on a Trump Tariff Reversal? Some traders may be betting on the White House eventually reducing tariff rates to more manageable levels. But Commerce Secretary Lutnick recently signaled the opposite, stating tariffs could generate $50 billion per month in revenue, a clear incentive to keep them in place. Fed’s Rate Cut Dilemma Market expectations for a September 2025 Fed rate cut are near certain. Yet Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic warned that the full effects of tariffs will take 6–12 months to filter through the economy. If growth slows while inflation rises, a potential stagflation scenario (although still not the consensus view), the Fed’s policy path becomes far less predictable. Who Ultimately Pays the Tariff Bill? So far, importers, exporters, and manufacturers have shouldered most of the cost. But businesses are not charities and logic says it’s only a matter of time before higher costs are passed on to the American consumer. Once stockpiled inventory and goods shipped before August 7 are sold, companies will face a choice: Absorb costs and shrink profit margins, or Raise prices and risk reduced demand. Logic suggests the latter will dominate. Tariff Rules for Goods in Transit Goods already loaded onto a vessel before August 7, 2025 are exempt from the new country-specific tariffs and remain subject to the previous 10% general reciprocal tariff provided they are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse by October 5, 2025. However, if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines goods were transshipped to disguise their origin and evade tariffs, they will face a 40% tariff plus penalties. Transshipping, routing goods through third countries to mask their true origin, is a well-known tactic in trade disputes. Hooked on Tariff Revenue As long as the administration views tariffs as a dependable revenue stream, higher rates are unlikely to disappear. That means inflationary pressure will persist, and the ultimate burden will fall on consumers. Market Reality Check Ahead? With U.S. stock markets at or near record highs, traders have so far ignored the long-term risks of tariff-driven inflation and slowing growth. But if the impact proves more of a slow trickle than a one-time shock, the adjustment could be both delayed and painful. Betting against the current optimism has been costly but that doesn’t mean the eventual reality check won’t come. Get a FREE Trial of The Amazing Trader The post U.S. Tariffs: Markets Stay Calm, But Inflation and Stagflation Risks Loom appeared first on Forex Trading Forum.

The long-running legal saga of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, the man once hailed as a “crypto genius” and later vilified as the architect of one of the industry’s largest financial catastrophes, may finally be approaching its endgame. Tomorrow morning, a U.S. federal court in New York will convene to determine whether Kwon will change his plea to guilty on fraud and market manipulation charges linked to the $40 billion implosion of TerraUSD (UST) and Luna. If confirmed, this would mark a dramatic reversal from Kwon’s previous stance, and could lock in one of the most significant criminal convictions in crypto history after years of drama. How Do Kwon Went From Crypto Prodigy to Global Fugitive Do Hyeong “Do” Kwon rose to prominence as the charismatic face of now infamous Terraform Labs, pitching the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST) as the future of decentralized finance. UST’s peg to the U.S. dollar was maintained via an intertwined relationship with the governance token Luna, a mechanism Kwon touted as both elegant and fail-safe. For a time, the market agreed. At its peak in early 2022, the Terra ecosystem boasted a market capitalization exceeding $50 billion, with Kwon positioned as one of the most influential figures in Web3. But behind the public hype, U.S. prosecutors allege Kwon orchestrated a complex web of deception, including faked real-world adoption, manipulated market activity, and concealed control over supposedly decentralized protocols. When UST’s dollar peg faltered in May 2022, the project entered a death spiral. Luna’s price collapsed to near-zero, wiping out life savings for retail investors and billions from institutional portfolios. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 The U.S. Department of Justice now claims Kwon’s response to the crisis was not to admit failure, but to double down on deception: arranging covert market interventions to prop up UST temporarily, disseminating misleading audit reports, and allegedly laundering hundreds of millions through shell entities and Swiss bank accounts. By the time the dust settled, an estimated $40Bn in market value had been vaporized. The fallout rippled far beyond Terra’s direct investors, triggering broader panic in the crypto sector and fueling a regulatory crackdown still shaping cautious crypto policy in environments likethe UK Today. You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: Do Kwon’s Fugitive Years (Source) After the collapse, Kwon left South Korea and began a months-long odyssey evading international law enforcement. His journey ended in March 2023, when he was arrested in Podgorica, Montenegro, attempting to board a flight with a fraudulent Costa Rican passport. Even in custody, Kwon’s legal fate was contested. South Korea and the United States fought for extradition, with the case bouncing between Montenegrin courts for more than a year before Washington prevailed. Kwon was formally handed over to the FBI in December 2024. He faces nine felony counts, including wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, market manipulation, and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted on all counts, he faces a theoretical maximum of 130 years in prison – a true life sentence. Will Tuesday Bring a Potential Plea Deal? (Source) Now, less than a year after his extradition, Judge Paul Engelmayer of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has ordered a conference at which Kwon “may enter a change of plea.” The judge has instructed defense counsel to prepare a full narrative allocation, meaning a detailed, on-the-record confession covering all elements of the crimes to which he pleads guilty. A plea deal could spare Kwon a lengthy and unpredictable trial, but it would also require him to admit to one of the most high-profile fraud cases in finance history. The specifics, including whether the agreement involves cooperation with prosecutors or a recommended sentencing range, remain sealed. If Kwon pleads guilty, it could signal a turning point in how U.S. authorities prosecute crypto executives accused of large-scale fraud. With Sam Bankman-Fried already serving time for the FTX collapse, two of the most infamous names in crypto could soon share the same legal fate. Whether tomorrow’s hearing marks the conclusion of Kwon’s saga or just another twist in a years-long drama, one thing is clear: the man who once sold the world on a vision of decentralized money is now fighting for his freedom in the same courts he once dismissed as irrelevant to crypto. Stay tuned. EXPLORE: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates The post Do Kwon’s Last Stand: The Endgame of Crypto’s Most Expensive Cautionary Tale appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Markets have opened the week with relatively subdued movements as players brace for tomorrow's major US CPI release. It will be the first US major data since past Tuesday's Services PMI which missed and sent the US Dollar into another round of downside correction. Since the US Weekly opening bell, Equity markets have failed to hold their overnight future highs as profit-taking sets ahead of the CPI data. For those who haven't taken a look, the Headline CPI is expected at a +0.2% print (to +2.8% y/y) and a core print of +0.3% to +3% year-over-year. Any beat (+0.1 %) will send markets ablaze, and participants may start to price out the September cut. You can check out some potential reactions in the US Dollar right here. In term of geopolitics, Trump announced that Gold would not see any tariffs which sent the precious metal down about 1.5% on the session – More movement can be expected, both ways, depending on the outcome of tomorrow's CPI – Gold gets influenced on interest rates expectations. Markets also await the Trump-Putin meeting happening on Friday in Alaska to try to negotiate further for a truce in Ukraine. Read More: Oil retreats back just above May’s trading rangeDaily Cross-Asset performance Cross-Asset Daily Performance, August 11, 2025 – Source: TradingView The session has been fairly volatile with most assets mean-reverting from their past week moves – Equities, Gold and Cryptos retract after their decent past week and Oil, as the US Dollar both reverted higher. It will be interesting to spot the reactions to tomorrow's CPI release. Brace up! A picture of today's performance for major currencies Currency Performance, August 11 – Source: OANDA Labs The US Dollar keeps rebounding in today's session after establishing an intermediate bottom on Friday. The CHF which had overperformed against the greenback is seeing consecutive sessions of lag – It will be essential to see if this becomes a trend of not. A look at Economic data releasing in tonight and tomorrow's sessions For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. After today's calm session, the calendar is absolutely packed. Starting at 00:30, the overnight session offers the Royal Bank of Australia rate decision where a cut is about 98% priced. Communications from the RBA will be watched closely. You can check our latest analysis for AUDUSD right here. Shortly after, at 2:00 the overnight session continues with the UK employment data in the overnight session (2:00 AM. ET), we will see if the GBP had reasoning behind its post-cut rally, particularly as the Bank of England was hesitant to cut. Any miss on the 4.7% unemployment rate should put cuts right back on the table after getting priced out since Thursday's BoE meeting. At 5:00 A.M., traders will see the release of European consumer sentiment, a mid-tier data which is always good to monitor. But what markets have been expecting the most, is the US CPI release, coming up at 8:30. Reactions will be huge. Any miss will keep confirming the September cut while adding some throughout the final FED meetings of the year. On the other hand, a beat would take out September which should drag down risk assets (reactions could be entirely different. Safe Trades and successful trading week! 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.

A senior researcher at Glassnode has challenged the idea that the Bitcoin price is correlated to US money supply or other major economies. No Structural Link Between Bitcoin & Money Supply Of Major Economies In a new post on X, Glassnode senior researcher CryptoVizArt.₿ has talked about the Correlation between Bitcoin and the money supplies of the Group of Seven (G7) economies. The “Correlation” here refers to an indicator that measures how tightly together the prices of two given assets are moving. When the value of this metric is positive, it means the price of one asset is reacting to movements in the other by moving in the same direction. The closer the indicator is to 1, the stronger the relationship. On the other hand, the indicator being under the zero mark suggests a negative correlation exists between the prices. That is, they are moving in opposite directions. This behavior is the strongest at -1. Now, here are the charts shared by the analyst that provide a few representations of the Correlation between Bitcoin and the money supply of each G7 nation over a 90-day rolling window: As is visible in the graphs, the Correlation between Bitcoin and the money supplies of seven of the world’s largest economies has swung wildly over the years. Often, periods of positive values of the metric are succeeded by a phase of negative or neutral levels, with there being no clear macroeconomic triggers behind the shifts. “Bitcoin’s correlation with US M2 or other major economies’ money supplies demonstrates no consistent or predictive pattern,” notes the Glassnode researcher. A longer-term view through a 180-day rolling window also shows the same. “Despite frequent claims of a stable linkage, the data suggest the relationship is largely stochastic rather than structural,” says CryptoVizArt. While Bitcoin is certainly not independent of the global economy, this pattern would suggest that there is a mix of several other factors that also play a role in driving the coin. In an earlier X post, the analyst shared the trend in the 180-day Correlation between Bitcoin and two traditional assets: Gold and S&P 500. From the topmost chart, it’s visible that Gold and Bitcoin have seen their 180-day Correlation stand at a neutral level most recently, indicating that the two have pretty much been moving independently of each other. Meanwhile, the second graph shows a notable positive value for the metric between S&P 500 and BTC, implying the cryptocurrency has been moving in tandem with stocks to some degree. BTC Price Bitcoin crossed above $122,000 during the weekend, but it would appear the asset has kicked off Monday with a retrace as its price is back at $119,000.

Bitcoin’s price movements often reflect broader macroeconomic trends. Analysts have uncovered a consistent pattern where BTC’s price follows these shifts with a roughly 12-week delay. With global liquidity now picking up steam, the macro-level signal now points toward a potential bullish phase ahead for BTC. How Liquidity Trends Fit Into Bitcoin’s Long-Term Cycle In an X post, Crypto expert MartyParty pointed out a compelling pattern in Bitcoin’s price behavior, stating that its high-timeframe follows global liquidity, indicated on the chart as the blue line following the red line lagged 12 weeks. Currently, the global liquidity curve is on the rise, and the US has not started issuing new liquidity, meaning the current surge is being fueled externally. MartyParty argues that this global liquidity wave is primed to push BTC toward the $125,000 mark on foreign liquidity issuance. The current macro thesis suggests that BTC could reach $140,000, driven purely by the influx of foreign liquidity. In the meantime, the upcoming US liquidity issuance is expected to begin within the next quarter and will last up to a year to eighteen months. Once the US liquidity kicks in, combined with expected rate cuts that will lower borrowing costs, it will create a compelling setup for the BTC price to potentially rally to $250,000 in the medium to long term. Daan Crypto Trades has revealed that Bitcoin’s impressive resilience and steady upward trend relative to the US stock market have been trending since its bottom in 2022. Over this period, BTC has experienced only four moderate corrections ranging between 20% and 30%, while delivering a 420% gain from bottom to top. This steady outperformance suggests that BTC has carved out a strong position as a growth asset, especially in risk-on market environments. How Bitcoin’s Current Energy Value Growth Differs From Past Cycles Another notable development is the Bitcoin Energy Value, which just reached a new all-time high of $135,000 per BTC. According to StarPlatinum, in previous market cycles, reaching such peaks in Energy Value has been associated with sharp price moves or big drops. Currently, the rise in Energy Value is gradual and steady, reflecting a more natural market progression. This data reveals several key points about BTC’s current state. First, BTC is stronger and more mature than ever, with demand steadily increasing over time. Despite hitting a new all-time high on Energy Value, the current price still sits about 15% below this metric, indicating there’s still room to run. Historically, the BTC cycle top occurred when its price surged 40% to 60% above its Energy Value. Meanwhile, many in the crypto community have spent three years saying BTC is close to the top, only to see those calls followed by waves of FOMO.

The energy commodity hasn't had its best performance this year. Oil got caught in the mix of many geopolitical headwinds between large supply from OPEC+ for internal reorganization (they want to force out some producing countries of the organization), Russia flooding the Market to pay for its war, downward revised global outlooks and tensions in the Middle East. Such volatile events are tough to predict and their effects are even tougher to predict – But one thing stands: Oil always found sellers during the first 8 months of this year. Now, Trump and Putin are supposed to meet in person ahead of a deadline that would impose gigantic tariffs on Russian exports as a menace for them to end the war. It would be very interesting to see how markets react to a cease-fire in Ukraine, particularly as we all pray for peace. In the meantime, let's have a look at Black Gold to spot why the commodity struggles so much, at least on the technical side. Read More: Bitcoin rejects the test of its all-time highs, is a double top in the making? US Oil technical analysisUS Oil Daily Chart US Oil Daily Chart, August 11 2025 – Source: TradingView US Oil went through a tough past week after showing a wick at the middle of its past $65 to $70 range. Today's trading shows a mildly bullish candle but a failure to close above the past session $65 highs would keep it in bearish territory – The commodity is now trading below both its 50 and 200 Day Moving averages which would confirm the bearish outlook. Momentum which was tilting downwards is starting to flatten, a sign of bear exhaustion which comes around the May range highs around $64. It seems that Markets are once again waiting to see the US inflation data to know if stimulatory policies could get priced in further to provide a fresh bid to the commodity. US Oil 4H Chart US Oil 4H Chart, August 11 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking closer the the 4H Candle, WTI is evolving downwards after showing a break retest of its mid-May upward trendline which previously acted as a demand zone for buyers. Since, sellers have formed an intermediate bearish trend that is still holding. Due to its steep regression, any break would lead to consolidation before any reversal gets higher probability. Watch again for the communications of the Trump-Putin meeting which may add to the volatility as depending on the outcomes, a break in the war may slow down the Russian supply. Levels to watch for US Oil: Resistance Levels Key Support Zone turned pivot $65Imminent Pivot Zone $67.30 to $68 – Confluence with 50 and 200 Day MAs69.5–$70.5 Resistance Zone, range extremesSupport Levels $63.20 to $64 May Range highs support60.5 Low of May Range$55 to $57 2025 lows Main supportUS Oil 1H Chart US Oil 1H Chart, August 11 2025 – Source: TradingView Zooming even closer to the 1H timeframe, WTI buyers are stepping in at the conjunction of the downwards intermediate trendline and the 50-H MA after forming an hourly double bottom around $63.30. Breaking that trendline would look to then test the $65 to $66 Support zone turned Pivot, important for the next technical phase. A rejection of that $65 would confirm further bearish outlooks while repassing above would put back the commodity in its $65 to $70 range. 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.

Equinox Gold’s (TSX, NYSE-A: EQX) Castle Mountain stage two expansion in California has joined the US FAST-41 program, setting a solid federal permitting timeline that could reduce the development time by years. Its FAST-41 status now puts the project on track to complete federal approvals in 16 months, clearing the way for a construction decision by the end of next year, Equinox said Monday. “Castle Mountain is a high-quality growth opportunity for Equinox Gold in a tier-one jurisdiction,” CEO Darren Hall said in a release. “With FAST-41 status in place, we’ve commenced study updates and optimization work to align with the schedule and fast-track our construction decision.” FAST-41, managed by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council aims to speed up environmental reviews, boost coordination between agencies and enhance public transparency. Mining analysts say that permitting uncertainty is slowing down new US mine builds. Timelines can take five to eight years, or even longer, due to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state reviews. At C$9.09 apiece in Toronto on Monday, Equinox shares were up C$0.20 or 2.25%, giving it a market capitalization of C$6.8 billion. The stock has gained 32% over the past 12 months. Rare feat Castle Mountain’s inclusion is rare for FAST-41 projects in the US Southwest, where the lists are dominated by renewable energy, transmission and infrastructure projects. Few active mining developments in California or neighbouring states are in the program. Notably, South32’s (LSE, ASX: S32) Hermosa zinc-manganese project in Arizona, the first US mine added to the FAST-41 program in 2023, is the country’s only advanced project for both federally designated critical minerals. The US Forest Service started the environmental review under NEPA in 2022. FAST-41 status offers Equinox greater certainty in a growth pipeline that includes the Valentine mine in Newfoundland and the long-suspended Los Filos mine in Mexico. On a macro level, the move signals a potential shift in US permitting priorities – one that could encourage other developers to pursue FAST-41 designation to speed up approvals. Mine expansion The Castle Mountain expansion would increase production to an average of 218,000 gold oz. annually at all-in sustaining costs of $858 per oz. for 14 years, followed by rinsing of the leach pad to recover remaining gold. Based on $1,500 per oz. gold price, the expansion’s after-tax net present value stands at $640 million (at a 5% discount rate), with an 18% internal rate of return, according to the 2021 feasibility study. Initial capital costs are estimated at $510 million, which includes the purchase of a mining fleet. Construction would take about two years. The company ran a smaller heap-leach mine at the site from late 2020 until the third quarter of last year. It is now re-leaching while also working on expansion engineering and optimization.

The Bitcoin price has regained momentum, rising toward the $120,000 level after experiencing a short-lived pullback earlier this week. However, recent technical analysis warns that an unfilled Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) gap near $116,500 may act as a barrier, potentially creating the risk of a price crash as BTC makes its way toward a fresh all-time high. Bitcoin To Face Short-Term Crash With CME Gap A new Bitcoin price analysis by crypto market expert Ted Pillows suggests that BTC could encounter another major hurdle on its path to a record high. His analysis, shared on X social media, points to conditions in cryptocurrency’s current market structure that may trigger a temporary correction. Notably, Pillows reported that Bitcoin recently reclaimed and even surpassed the $118,000 level after a volatile week that saw the asset shed $2,000 to fill a CME gap from last week. The analyst’s chart highlights this gap in Bitcoin’s price action on the CME futures market around $116,500. Historically, such gaps tend to be “filled” as price retraces to trade within the missing range, making them critical areas of interest for traders. Pillows has stated that the unfilled CME gap near $116,500 will likely be revisited soon. This week’s market action already saw BTC drop sharply to close last week’s gap before rebounding, suggesting that the same pattern could play out again. If the $116,500 CME gap is filled, it could momentarily disrupt Bitcoin’s ascent, triggering a potential crash in its price. Although this scenario appears bearish, the analyst reassures that any pullback is expected to be temporary. Pillows anticipates that a brief correction could lay the groundwork for a fresh leg upward. Technical patterns also indicate that once Bitcoin begins this upward push, it could rise toward uncharted territory and establish a new all-time high. Other Analysts Share Their Take On Bitcoin CME Gap Further discussing the Bitcoin CME gap, market analyst ‘Daan Crypto Trades’ on X pointed out the recently formed gap that opened this week. According to the analyst, the gap lies between $116,500 and $118,400, standing out not only for its size but its proximity to Bitcoin’s previous ATH range. Daan Crypto Trades noted that most CME gaps tend to close within the same day; however, this latest gap has extended farther than usual. He explained that the gap near Bitcoin’s record high creates the ideal conditions for a price discovery. In such scenarios, CME gaps often stay open for longer periods, as bullish momentum can drive prices upward without retracement. Notably, the expert’s chart analysis indicates that Bitcoin’s latest CME gap is unlikely to close until its price comes within 1% or 2% of it, placing that level just under $120,000. At present, BTC is trading at $121,313.

Most Read: Markets Weekly Outlook - US Inflation, EU/UK GDP and RBA Meeting to Shape Market Moves Wall Street's main indexes slipped on Monday as the US session got into gear. Market participants are bracing for a busy week which includes US inflation data and major geopolitical developments. At the time of writing the S&P 500 was down 0.15% while the DOW was down as much as 0.54%, weighed down largely by industrial stocks, with the sector down 1.6% on the day. Source LSEG US-China Tariff Deadline A U.S. tariff deadline on China, due to expire on Tuesday, is expected to be extended again as negotiations continue.President Trump has not yet approved an extension of the trade truce with China. If tariffs are reinstated, it could reignite the trade war between the two largest economies, which unsettled global markets earlier this year. Such a move could lead markets back toward risk-off sentiment which could weigh on equity markets. When asked about the deadline on Monday, Trump said, "We’ll see what happens," adding that his relationship with China's President Xi is strong. As time runs out, Trump urged China on Sunday to buy four times more American soybeans, saying it would help lower the U.S. trade deficit with China. NVIDIA and AMD Agree to Pay US Government 15% of Revenue from AI Chip Sales One of the major areas which have been discussed between US and Chinese officials has been around US export controls of microchips which power AI. Despite national security concerns about trading semiconductors and other products, the Trump administration has focused on deal-making in negotiations. Nvidia and AMD are set to pay the U.S. 15% of their revenue from selling AI chips to China under an unusual financial agreement with the administration. US-Russia Talks Boosts Optimism At the upcoming US-Russia summit, analysts believe Putin will only agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine makes significant territorial concessions. Trump's main bargaining tools are the threat of sanctions and trade pressure on Russia's partners, like India. It's unclear how much Russia's economic struggles might force compromises or how far Trump will push for a favorable deal. Without Ukraine or European representatives at the summit, any agreement on Friday is likely to be only a preliminary step. A preliminary deal may still provide a shot in the arm for global markets in the hopes that a lasting agreement may materialize. The Week Ahead Alongside the US-China trade discussion, US inflation data scheduled for release tomorrow could have a major impact on markets and stoke volatility. Analysts expect core inflation (CPI), which excludes food and energy, to rise 0.3% in July. This shows ongoing price increases in areas like housing and medical services, despite the Fed's efforts to control inflation. This rise keeps inflation above the Fed's 2% yearly target, making it harder for policymakers to stabilize prices without risking a major economic slowdown. For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (click to enlarge) Technical Analysis - Dow Jones Index From a technical standpoint, the Dow Jones index is currently testing a confluence level of support at 44100. A golden cross pattern is unfolding as the 100-day MA is crossing above the 200-day MA which could hint at further bullish momentum. To the downside, immediate support rests at the 43500 handle before the 43000 handle comes into focus. A move higher here needs to gain acceptance above the 45226 handle if the DOW is to continue on its impressive run since the early April lows. Dow Jones Daily Chart, August 11, 2025 Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - DOW JONES Index Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are short on the DOW with 59% of traders net-short. I prefer to take a contrarian view toward crowd sentiment and thus the fact that so many traders are short means the Dow Jones Index could 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.

Lifezone Metals (NYSE: LZM) said on Monday it has secured a $60 million bridge loan from Taurus Mining Finance Fund to fund early works and infrastructure development at its flagship Kabanga nickel project in northwest Tanzania. Kabanga is considered to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade undeveloped nickel sulfide projects, containing over 2 million tonnes of the battery metal in resources. The deposit also contains significant copper and cobalt as by-products. The loan, says chief executive officer Chris Showalter, further demonstrates the preparation and strategic steps Lifezone has taken in anticipation of a 100% ownership of Kabanga Nickel Limited (KNL), which it completed last month. KNL is the majority owner of the Kabanga project with an 84% interest. The remaining 16% is held by the Tanzanian government. In mid-July, Lifezone consolidated its interest in KNL after acquiring the 17% equity stake previously held by global miner BHP (ASX: BHP) for $83 million. BHP had previously committed to invest $100 million on building the nickel mine, but in recent years has shifted its focus away from nickel due to market conditions. The deal would give Lifezone full control of the Kabanga nickel operations, including 100% of its offtake rights. Concurrent with purchasing BHP’s project stake, Lifezone also released a feasibility study for the project, which incorporated an upgraded reserve estimate of 52.2 million tonnes grading 1.98% nickel, 0.27% copper and 0.15% cobalt. Mining of the ores would occur for 18 years, during which the concentrator is expected to produce a total of 902,000 tonnes of nickel, 134,000 tonnes of copper and 69,000 tonnes of cobalt in intermediate product, the study shows. Its after-tax net present value (at 8% discount) is estimated at $1.58 billion, with an internal rate of return of 23.3%. Project readiness The Taurus loan, the company says, provides essential funding to maintain project momentum during the execution readiness phase, bridging the period between feasibility study completion and final investment decision, which is expected in mid-2026. “With the feasibility study now complete, Taurus’s funding enables us to advance critical early-stage development while progressing the competitive process underway with Standard Chartered to select additional strategic investment partners,” Showalter stated. “In parallel, we are advancing the project financing process with Societe Generale, as we work toward a comprehensive funding solution for the Kabanga nickel project.” According to the new feasibility study, the pre-production cost for the mine is pegged at $942 million, while the life-of-mine cost could total $2.49 billion. Shares of Lifezone Metals rose nearly 4% by midday Monday on the loan announcement, sending its market capitalization to $355.2 million.

Ethereum’s recent surge has pushed it past another milestone, with the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap overtaking MasterCard in the global asset rankings. According to data shared by Watcher Guru, Ethereum now holds the 22nd spot, backed by a market capitalization of $507 billion. It’s trading at $4,220, with a 24-hour trading volume of $53.50 billion, and the mood among traders has been leaning toward optimism. Ethereum Breaks Long-Term Technical Pattern Reports have disclosed that analyst Crypto Patel has identified a breakout from a multi-year ascending triangle pattern on Ethereum’s chart — a formation often linked to strong upward price moves. Holding above $4,000 has been key in confirming the breakout, with Patel suggesting the setup could eventually send ETH toward $16,000 if buying pressure continues. Patel also pointed to $3,500–$3,000 as a “demand zone” where pullbacks could attract more buyers. For those who entered before the breakout, the rally has been highly rewarding. According to Patel, early investors have seen gains of around 300%, marking one of Ethereum’s strongest runs in recent memory. ETF Flows Highlight Institutional Interest Institutional buying has added fuel to Ethereum’s climb. Based on August data, ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs) brought in roughly $174.57 million in net inflows, compared to Bitcoin ETFs, which saw $565 million in net outflows during the same period. This trend has given Ethereum some momentum against Bitcoin, with ETH briefly crossing the $4,300 mark on August 9 for the first time since 2021. Vitalik Buterin has also made comments suggesting that companies holding ETH in their treasuries could benefit from the asset, though he urged caution to avoid overexposure. His words induced new chatter on how far deep structural demand can take ETH/BTC to new heights. Differing Opinions On How Far The Rally Will Go Market observers are still divided on what Ethereum will do next. Bullish analysts cite chart indications as well as robust fundamentals as gauge that ETH will be able to keep delivering the goods. Skeptics caution that false breakouts are the norm and that remaining above $4,000 with heavy volume will be the true test in coming weeks. Though Ethereum’s climb above MasterCard in terms of market value has been celebrated as another move into mainstream acceptance, analysts point out that rankings can change in a heartbeat with the ebb and flow of markets. At this time, ETH has a clean technical breakout, high institutional demand, and traders’ renewed focus — all things that can make the stage for larger action if it continues to hold. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Barrick Mining (NYSE: B)(TSX: ABX) aims to secure up to $3.5 billion in financing from the United States and other international lenders to build a massive copper-gold mine in Pakistan, after long-promised Saudi funding failed to materialize. Chief executive Mark Bristow told the Financial Times on Monday that the company is working on a “G7-country financing package” for the Reko Diq project, in Balochistan province. Talks involve the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), the US Export-Import Bank and Development Finance Corporation, the Asian Development Bank, and lenders in Germany, Canada and Japan. “There is a lot of interest to support Pakistan,” Bristow told FT, adding the $9-billion project had “focused a spotlight” on the region. Bristow said any US government backing would give the country access to copper concentrate from the mine, though the material would still need to be processed into metal. “The challenge for the US is smelting to capacity; it’s all spoken for,” he said, noting the country needs more domestic smelters to reduce its reliance on Chinese metal imports. Reko Diq is considered one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world, projected to generate more than $70 billion in free cash flow and $90 billion in operating cash flow over its lifetime. The project is jointly owned by Barrick and the governments of Pakistan and Balochistan. Phase one, targeted to begin production in 2028, is under active financing negotiations. Project director Tim Cribb said earlier this year that the mine is seeking $650 million from the IFC and International Development Association, $500 million to $1 billion from the US Export-Import Bank, and $500 million from other development finance institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, Export Development Canada and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

The Peter Thiel backed digital asset platform Bullish has significantly raised the stakes on its Wall Street debut, increasing its IPO target from $629 million to as much as $990 million. This move positions it among the most extensive crypto-related public offerings in recent years, after Circle’s $1.1Bn launch earlier this Year. The Cayman Islands-based firm announced Monday that it has increased its offering from 20.3 million to 30 million ordinary shares while hiking the expected price range from $28–$31 to $32–$33 per share. At the top of that range, Bullish would raise $990 million, with an additional 4.5 million shares available to underwriters under a 30-day purchase option. Everything to Know About Peter Thiel’s New IPO (Source) The listing, expected on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “BLSH”, comes after Bullish confidentially filed for an IPO in June, a process allowing companies to advance listing preparations without revealing financials until late in the cycle. J.P. Morgan and Jefferies are lead book-runners, joined by Citigroup, Cantor Fitzgerald, Deutsche Bank, and Société Générale. Bullish describes itself as an institutionally focused global digital asset platform. It operates the Bullish Exchange, a regulated spot and derivatives venue integrating an automated market maker with a central limit order book to provide deep liquidity. It also owns CoinDesk, including its data indices, market analytics, and media operations. Founded in 2021 out of Block.one’s $10 billion war chest, Bullish’s backers include Thiel, Alan Howard, and Mike Novogratz, alongside Japanese banking giant Nomura. The company currently holds licenses in Germany, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar, positioning it to target Western and Asian institutional flows. DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 Why Now For Bullish IPO Push? The timing is notable. Bullish’s IPO push follows a wave of digital asset listings riding renewed bullish sentiment in capital markets. Stablecoin issuer Circle saw its stock surge over 500% in the weeks after its IPO, while Kraken and Grayscale are preparing their own public market entries. The offering marks another test case for crypto investors for how traditional equity markets value regulated digital asset infrastructure, highlighting sustained institutional demand for crypto-related products. “We believe the digital assets industry is beginning its next leg of growth. Becoming a publicly traded company provides credibility with partners and regulators, access to capital, and an equity currency for strategic acquisitions,” said CEO Tom Farley as he explained the growth play. If demand meets expectations, the nearly $1B raise could give Bullish substantial dry powder to expand market share, acquire distressed competitors, and cement its position as one of the few crypto-native firms trading at scale in U.S. public markets. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 Why Does This Matter For You? For the average retail investor, Bullish’s IPO matters because it’s a rare chance to ride crypto’s growth without having to navigate wallets, private keys, or token volatility. If you believe digital assets will keep expanding, owning shares in a platform like Bullish means you’re betting on the “picks and shovels” of the industry, the exchanges, data providers, and market infrastructure that profit whether prices are booming or dipping. It’s a way to get crypto exposure through a normal stock account, with all the benefits of regulated markets and none of the headaches of managing coins yourself. DISCOVER: The Best Crypto Stocks to Buy in 2025 The post Peter Thiel Backed Bullish Upsizes IPO to Nearly $1B Amid Crypto Capital Market Surge appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

Lithium Argentina AG (TSX, NYSE: LAR) soared as much as 28% on Monday morning as investors reacted positively to the company’s latest quarterly results and growth outlook. During the three months ended June 30, the company saw lithium carbonate production from the Cauchari-Olaroz brine operation in Jujuy province rise 18% quarter-over-quarter to 8,500 tonnes. This takes its total output for the first half of the year to 15,700 tonnes, on track to meet the full-year guidance of 30,000–35,000 tonnes. The reported production is presented on a 100% ownership basis. Lithium Argentina currently has a 44.8% economic interest in Cauchari-Olaroz. Its partner, China’s Ganfeng Lithium, owns a larger stake at 46.67%, while JEMSE, a Jujuy province mining and energy company, holds the remaining 8.5%. On top of the higher quarterly output, the Cauchari-Olaroz operation also had a lower cash cost for each tonne of lithium carbonate at $6,098, compared to $6,634 in the prior quarter for an 8% improvement. Revenue to Lithium Argentina for the second quarter totalled $64 million, with an average realized price of approximately $7,400/tonne of lithium carbonate sold. The realized price, the company says, was impacted by the continued decline in global lithium prices during the quarter. “The company delivered continued operational improvements in the second quarter, keeping us firmly on track to meet full-year production guidance,” Sam Pigott, Lithium Argentina’s CEO, commented in a press release Monday. “At Cauchari-Olaroz, production reached more than 85% of capacity, with costs declining towards $6,000/t, supported by higher volumes and targeted cost-reduction initiatives,” he added. Growth plans The Lithium Argentina-Ganfeng partnership is looking to expand the lithium carbonate production at Cauchari-Olaroz with an additional capacity of 40,000 tonnes per annum. This expansion is expected to use the existing infrastructure and solar evaporation process, while also incorporating the new processing technologies. An application for the Stage 2 expansion is being prepared under Argentina’s large investments’ incentive regime (RIGI) to support potential tax and fiscal benefits, the company said. In addition, the partners are also advancing several projects in the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes basins. Together known as PPG, the projects are at the feasibility stage and have an estimated total capacity of 150,000 tonnes per annum. Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina are currently exploring financing options, including collaboration with potential customers and strategic partners for offtake and minority ownership interests, to advance the projects. Lithium market rally Lithium Argentina’s share price rallied to its highest since December following the Q2 2025 earnings release. By noon ET, it traded at $3.56 apiece on the NYSE with a market capitalization of approximately $603 million. The stock jump coincides with a sector-wide rally triggered by a major lithium mine shutdown in China, which caused supply concerns and sent prices of the battery metal higher.

Ethereum reached multi-year highs, breaking decisively above the $4,300 level after several days of strong bullish momentum. This breakout marks Ethereum’s highest level since late 2021, fueled by growing institutional demand, ETF inflows, and expanding on-chain activity. However, fresh market data from CryptoQuant suggests that caution may be warranted in the short term. The all-exchange Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) has climbed to 0.68, approaching historical highs and signaling excessive market-wide leverage. While Binance’s ELR sits lower at 0.52, indicating more measured positioning on the world’s largest exchange, higher relative leverage on other platforms points to elevated speculative activity elsewhere. Ethereum’s price is currently testing a critical resistance zone between $4,020 and $4,060—a historically pivotal area that has often determined whether a rally accelerates or faces a sharp pullback. Adding to the short-term risk profile, Binance netflows have spiked significantly above the all-exchange average, suggesting concentrated inflows that may lead to localized sell pressure, possibly linked to liquidations or arbitrage-driven trades. Ethereum Mid-Term Outlook: Institutional Flows and Network Strength According to Crypto Onchain, a CryptoQuant analyst, Ethereum’s mid-term fundamentals remain strongly bullish despite short-term caution signals. Institutional demand is surging, with US Spot Ethereum ETFs recording a record $726.6 million in daily net inflows, driven by giants like BlackRock and Fidelity. This has pushed total ETF holdings above 5 million ETH (valued at approximately $20.3 billion), a milestone that underscores Ethereum’s growing role in institutional portfolios. Beyond ETFs, major players are increasing direct exposure. Ark Invest purchased 30,755 ETH worth $108.57 million, while Fundamental Global allocated $200 million to ETH as part of its treasury strategy. This wave of accumulation reflects deepening confidence in Ethereum’s long-term utility and value proposition. On-chain metrics also paint a bullish picture. Transaction volumes are hitting new highs, and staking participation continues to expand, locking up more ETH and reducing circulating supply. Regulatory clarity—such as the SEC closing investigations into liquid staking—has further strengthened structural demand for ETH. Upcoming network upgrades, including Pectra and Fusaka, are set to boost scalability and lower costs. This will enhance Ethereum’s appeal to both developers and enterprises. In the short term, high leverage, key resistance levels, and concentrated exchange inflows pose a risk of sharp volatility. However, the mid-term outlook remains intact, supported by sustained institutional inflows, robust network growth, and technological advancements. Even if near-term corrections occur, these factors should help cap downside pressure and maintain Ethereum’s broader bullish trajectory. Price Action Details: Setting Fresh highs Ethereum’s 4-hour chart shows a strong breakout above the key resistance at $3,860, which had capped price action in late July. Following this decisive move, ETH surged past the $4,300 level, marking its highest point since November 2021. This rally was supported by strong bullish momentum, as seen in the steep incline of the 50-period SMA (blue) and the price holding well above the 100-period (green) and 200-period (red) SMAs. Currently, ETH is consolidating just below its recent peak, around $4,240, signaling a potential pause before the next move. This consolidation at elevated levels, rather than a sharp retracement, suggests that bulls remain in control. The $3,860–$3,900 zone now acts as a critical support, and a retest could provide a healthy setup for continuation. Volume spikes during the breakout indicate strong buying interest, but the reduced volume in the latest candles suggests the market is waiting for fresh catalysts. A sustained move above $4,300 could open the door toward the $4,450–$4,500 zone, while a breakdown below $3,860 would weaken the bullish structure. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Jaguar Mining Inc. (TSX: JAG) has received federal authorization to begin preparatory work for the restart of its Turmalina gold mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with operations expected to resume in the first quarter of 2026. The permit allows the company to develop a second access route to the Faina and C-8 orebodies and make modifications to the underground ventilation system. It does not cover work to stabilize the tailings pile, a critical step before full-scale operations can resume. A municipal permit issued earlier this year remains in effect, granting similar authorizations for a renewable three-month period. Jaguar is also finalizing a terms of agreement with the Public Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a technical safety audit and settle a related civil lawsuit stemming from a tailings slide in December 2024. In 2025, the company negotiated a reduction in environmental fines from R$320 million to R$60 million, with part of the funds allocated to social and environmental projects in Minas Gerais. It also reached a R$57 million compensation agreement with the Public Defender’s Office to assist residents affected by the incident. On Monday morning, Jaguar Mining’s shares were up 5% at C$4.25 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, giving the company a market capitalization of C$354 million. The Turmalina underground mine is part of Jaguar’s MTL mining complex located in the state of Minas Gerais, approximately 130 km northwest of the city of Belo Horizonte. The Turmalina processing plant is onsite, has a 2,000 tonnes per day grinding capacity, and is located within 200 metres of the C-zone portal. In 2023, the mine produced 33,117 oz. of gold, accounting for about half of the company’s production.