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Bitcoin faced renewed selling pressure on Wednesday, falling 0.45% to $118,446.5 as traders braced for pivotal macroeconomic events. This drop comes amid heightened caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s July policy meeting and the looming implementation of steep U.S. tariffs on August 1. Despite a strong July performance, the flagship cryptocurrency remains under pressure due to profit-taking and broader market uncertainty. The decline follows a stretch of consolidation near the $120,000 level, a psychological resistance zone that prompted selling from long-term holders and institutions. Even Strategy’s historic $2.5 billion Bitcoin acquisition, adding 21,021 BTC, failed to spark a rally, suggesting investor fatigue and risk aversion are taking hold. Fed Decision and Tariff Jitters Weigh on Sentiment Investor focus remains fixed on the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, with expectations that the central bank will hold interest rates steady. However, analysts remain divided on the Fed’s longer-term stance amid calls for cuts by President Trump and signs of economic cooling. Market concerns are further amplified by impending U.S. tariffs ranging from 15% to 50%, set to take effect at the start of August. Although tariffs don’t directly impact crypto prices, they influence global sentiment and contribute to increased volatility across risk assets like Bitcoin. Meanwhile, the market is also awaiting a White House report that could outline the U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings and clarify its stance on establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Altcoins Follow Bitcoin’s Retreat Bitcoin’s pullback echoed throughout the broader crypto market. Ethereum, the leading altcoin was one of the assets that made a dip, falling by over 2% to $3,781.5. This caused a ripple in the altcoin space with some of the major names recording similar drops: XRP fell 0.6% to $3.1290 Solana dropped 2.1% Cardano declined 1.6% Dogecoin slipped 2.2% $TRUMP coin shed 2.6% With volatility indicators tightening, analysts warn that a significant price move may be imminent as the market awaits the Fed’s outcome and macroeconomic clarity. Cover image from ChatGPT, chart from Tradingview

Markets just saw the released of the FOMC Rate Decision which stayed unchanged. July was a rough month for both the GBP and the JPY which were the worst performing currencies in the Major FX space against the Greenback (which also sparked a market-shaking comeback). The past week however did see the return of some strength for the Yen after observing a lot of bad talk around the Nippon currency– As if bearish positioning for the Yen was at an extreme. Positioning now seems more balanced as players have reduced their positions to prepare for tonight's Bank of Japan Rate Decision. No hike is expected but the BoJ tends to surprise markets so always stay ready, this one would shock the Trading World. Markets are expecting a 25 bps rate cut from the upcoming Bank of England meeting on August 7. The meeting will also see the release of the Quarterly Monetary Policy Report which will provide more details on the views from the UK Central Bank amid their ongoing Cut cycle – Cuts are currently priced in for one out of two meetings. Taking a look at the GBPJPY TechnicalsGBPJPY Daily GBPJPY Daily Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView The most volatile FX pair has started to show some signs of retraction from its Range Extremes, right after reaching 199.976 (the pair did not breach the 200.00 level). Momentum is actually starting to confirm a potential reversal around here with the RSI going towards bearish (still at a neutral level for now). Expect whipsawing volatility between tonight's BoJ Rate Decision and next week's Bank of England meeting. The most important aspect to spot is actually the confirmation of the range after bulls tried to break higher and saw some consequent sharp reversals. Support Levels: 50 4H-MA 197.75 immediate supportIntermediate Range Resistance Zone turned pivot near 196.00Range Intermediate Support Zone around the 190.00 levelResistance Levels: Resistance Zone extremes 199.00 to 200.00Weekly highs 199.22020 4H-MA 198.25GBPJPY 4H GBPJPY 4H Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking closer to the 4H timeframe, we are spotting a trendline break-retest pattern. This would be a decent sign of reversal if it wasn't for the 4H 200-period MA holding prices – Therefore, keep this one closely in check to get a better idea of the immediate strength for bulls and bears. With the MA 20 also passing as resistance, it will be interesting to see how the action reacts in the waiting of tonight's BoJ Meeting. GBPJPY 1H Chart GBPJPY 1H Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView Looking even closer, we are seeing that the ongoing action is evolving within a downwards channel formed since the July 8th pivot. The lower bound of the Channel is currently below 197.40 to 197.50 and its higher bound is around 198.90 – It would be uncommon to see any major breakout before tonight's BoJ Meeting. The pair will be extremely important to watch as European currencies start to show signs of weakness – Stay ready for the key Rate Decisions coming up soon. Safe Trades and good luck for tonight's Bank of Japan Meeting! 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.

Aerial panorama of the northern Pacific Ranges, British Columbia. Stock image. Maxus Mining (CSE: MAXM), announced Wednesday that is has expanded its land holdings by staking of an additional 1,803 hectares at the Quarry antimony project in British Columbia, Canada. The company said it is currently compiling of all available historic data on the project to prepare its Phase 1 Exploration Plan. In June, Maxus acquired 100% interest in three antimony exploration properties in BC: Quarry, Hurley and Altura, covering approximately 3,700 hectares. Antimony is a strategic metal used in military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, as well as in batteries and photovoltaic equipment. The recent cancellation of antimony exports by China, combined with a substantial price increase, have driven efforts to locate and extract this critical metal in Canada and the US. Quarry antimony project “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of additional claims through low-cost staking along a silver-lead-zinc-antimony (Ag-Pb-Zn-Sb) mineralized trend at the project,” Maxus CEO Scott Walters said in a news release. “This expansion increases the Property to over 7 kilometres of favourable stratigraphy.” The 2,632-hectare property is located on the north side of the Osilinka River, between Tenakhi and Wasi creeks, about 46 kilometres northwest of Germansen Landing in. Historical sampling highlights the property’s high-grade potential. In 1991, a sample returned assays of 20% Sb, 0.89 g/t Au, 3.8% Cu, 42.5% Pb, and 0.65 g/t Ag. Earlier grab samples collected in 1954 averaged 83.5% Pb and 1575 g/t Ag. The site offers reliable year-round access, supporting ongoing exploration initiatives, the company said.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson made headlines this week with a bold forecast. He told investors that ADA could rise as much as 1,000× from its current level. Bitcoin, he argued, has less room to run. His comments came as Bitcoin traded around $118,000 and Cardano lingered around $0.78. Bold Claim On Returns According to Hoskinson, Bitcoin’s market cap of about $2.35 trillion leaves it with only a potential 10× upside to hit a $1 million price. By contrast, ADA sits close to $28 billion market cap. He said that a 100× move would bring ADA close to $77.90, while 1,000× would push it toward $779 per coin. Those figures imply a Cardano market cap around $27.5 trillion. It’s a gap so large that few expect it to close without major shifts in adoption or regulation. Rising Debate Over Treasury Moves Based on reports, Hoskinson has also proposed converting up to $100 million of the ADA treasury into Bitcoin and stablecoins. The goal is to boost liquidity for a planned Cardano stablecoin. Some community members warn the move could trigger selling pressure on ADA. Others argue it would strengthen the ecosystem’s cash reserves. The plan has drawn criticism from inside and outside the Cardano camp, with BTC supporters calling for a full switch and ADA loyalists pushing back. Cardano’s Role In Bitcoin’s Future According to Hoskinson, Cardano could serve as a yield layer for Bitcoin, adding smart‑contract capabilities to the original chain. He said Cardano “does substantially more” than Bitcoin’s base protocol. If wallets and DeFi apps use ADA as collateral or for staking, he believes that could drive real‑world demand. Yet today’s dApp numbers still lag behind rivals like Ethereum, and developer activity remains well below industry leaders. Huge Numbers Highlight Gap Based on market caps, a 1,000× ADA rally would vault Cardano past the world’s biggest companies and many national economies. By comparison, Bitcoin shooting for another 10× gain would keep it in the same league it already dominates. The sheer scale needed for ADA to match those multiples has few precedents in financial history. What Investors Should Watch According to market observers, the key signals will be developer growth, transaction volumes, and real‑world use cases. ADA holders will also track whether the treasury move happens and how it’s executed. Any large-scale asset swap could shake trader confidence. For now, Cardano’s community will weigh the promise of outsized gains against the risks of execution and market dynamics. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Drilling at Alba Sabrina claim block. Credit: Lithium South Development Lithium South Development (TSXV: LIS) says it has received a $62 million cash offer from South Korea’s POSCO for its portfolio of exploration assets in Argentina’s Hombre Muerto salar. The offer, which was presented last week, is non-binding and subject to several conditions, including a 60-day due diligence period, followed by a 60-day period for the negotiation and execution of the definitive agreement, Lithium South said in a news release Wednesday. The company’s main asset is the 100%-owned Hombre Muerto North (HMN) project in Salta province, comprising nine mining concessions covering a combined area of 56.9 sq. km. It also holds the purchase rights to two additional claim blocks totalling 55.5 sq. km nearby. Vancouver-based Lithium South and POSCO are currently partners on the HMN project, having established a 50/50 brine sharing agreement on two of the claim blocks (Viamonte and Norma Edith) that cross over into the Catamarca province, with POSCO assigned to the areas in that province. The South Korean giant is also developing the Sal de Oro lithium project in the Hombre Muerto salar next to HMN, with plans to build a $4 billion plant to anchor its operation. Meanwhile, the newly merged Arcadium Lithium is developing the west and east portions of the salar. A new preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for HMN last year gave the project an after-tax net present value (at 8% discount) of $934 million with an internal rate of return of 31.6%, along with a 25-year mine life and a 2.5-year payback period. The lithium carbonate production rate is estimated at 15,600 tonnes per year, based on proven solar evaporation technology and a resource base of 1.58 million tonnes in lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) delineated from three of the mining concessions (Alba Sabrina, Natalia Maria and Tramo). Since the PEA release, Lithium South has been looking to further explore the HMN property with the aim of expanding this resource and producing a feasibility study. Just last week, the company said it plans to make a comprehensive development schedule covering every stage of the feasibility process, through construction and commissioning, to deliver the report as early as the first quarter of 2026. Shares of Lithium South surged by 28% on the project sale announcement, sending the company’s market capitalization to C$35.3 million.

The Federal Reserve just released their Rate Decision with no surprise. The FED is holding their Policy Rate between 4.25% to 4.50% on a 9-2 Vote – The Report has seen many "uncertainties" removed from the text compared to the past June Meeting. Imminent reactions are those of some small mean-reversion in the US Dollar and US Indices after this morning's rallies in all these assets. I will update this piece during the Q&A from Powell coming up at 2:30 P.M which you can live access right here. You can also access the July Meeting statement on the Federal Reserve's website. A few intraday charts to be updatedS&P 500 S&P 500 5m Chart, July 30 2025 – Source: TradingView Dollar Index Dollar Index 5m Chart, July 30 2025 – Source: TradingView US 10Y Treasury Bond US 10Y Treasury Bond 5m Chart, July 30 2025 – Source: TradingView Check out our latest US Treasury Bond analysis to help you trade the FOMC! 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.

After a relatively quiet week for altcoins, XRP, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu received a fresh wave of attention thanks to a major update from Gemini. The US-based crypto exchange announced that it is now officially allowing these three tokens, as well as Bitcoin Cash and Solana, as cross-collateral assets for its derivatives platform. Major Boost For XRP, Dogecoin, And Shiba Inu Gemini’s decision allows XRP, DOGE, and SHIB holders to use their tokens as collateral for GUSD-settled perpetual contracts, a feature that was previously limited to BTC, ETH, USDT, and Gemini stablecoin GUSD. All five newly supported tokens come with varying collateral “haircuts,” meaning only a portion of their value is counted toward margin requirements. XRP and Solana each have a 15% haircut, while Dogecoin and Shiba Inu face a more severe 30% haircut due to their higher volatility profiles. Gemini has made it easier for users to trade derivatives using a broader range of holdings by bringing these newer assets into the fold. This move not only deepens the utility of these cryptocurrencies but also opens up new use cases for traders who want to leverage their holdings in perpetual contracts without converting to stablecoins. It’s a particularly meaningful step for XRP, which has been working to strengthen its institutional appeal and global payments utility. The move is also beneficial for meme coins Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, which are seeing increasing demand outside of the meme coin niche. This expansion also shows a larger trend in crypto derivatives. Many crypto exchanges, especially those in the US, are increasingly opening their doors to altcoins. It is also a drastic turnaround from the state of the crypto market some years back. For nearly three years, XRP was delisted or unavailable on most US-based trading platforms due to the legal battle between Ripple and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. It wasn’t until July 2023, following Judge Analisa Torres’s partial ruling that XRP was not a security when sold on exchanges, that the token began to make its return to major US platforms, including Gemini. Price Action Trending Downwards At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $3.13, a 1.4% decline from the previous day but still holding within its recent range between $3.06 and $3.18. Dogecoin is trading at $0.2226, with modest intraday movement after failing to sustain its push above $0.23. The king of meme coins is down by 3.2% and 14.2% in the past 24 hours and seven days, respectively. Shiba Inu, meanwhile, is trading at $0.000013, also down by about 4% in the past 24 hours and over 13% in the past seven days. Nonetheless, many analysts still maintain a bullish long-term outlook for these cryptocurrencies. Forecast models project that Dogecoin could climb to $1 in the current bull cycle, while SHIB is expected to reach at least $0.000045. XRP’s trajectory is even more ambitious among many crypto analysts, with price targets ranging from $9 to $10 if adoption momentum continues and pending US Spot ETF applications finally receive approval from the SEC.

Most Read: USD/CAD Breakout Gathers Pace After Bank of Canada Rate Hold Apple (AAPL) will release its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after the market closes. This report covers April to June, a quieter period before Apple’s big fall product launches. A conference call to discuss the results and share updates will follow at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET. What to Expect? Analysts expect Apple to show modest year-over-year growth in Q3 FY25. Earnings per share (EPS) are predicted to be $1.42–$1.43, slightly up from $1.40 last year. Revenue is forecasted at $88.92–$89.18 billion, matching Apple’s guidance for "low to mid-single-digit" growth. Gross margins are expected to be 45.5%–46.5%, factoring in a $900 million tariff impact. The Services segment is expected to lead growth with double-digit revenue, estimated at $26.9–$27.5 billion. iPhone sales should see slight growth, helped by promotions and the new iPhone 16e. Mac sales are also expected to rise, thanks to M4 chip upgrades. However, iPad revenue is likely to drop after a strong previous quarter. Source: Created by Zain Vawda, Google Gemini To provide context for the upcoming report, Apple's performance in the fiscal second quarter of 2025 (ended March 29, 2025) serves as a benchmark: Revenue: $95.4 billion, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase and landing at the high end of the company's guidance range. Diluted EPS: $1.65, an 8% year-over-year increase, setting a new March quarter record and surpassing analyst consensus estimates which ranged from $1.61 to $1.63. Services Revenue: Achieved an all-time high of $26.6 billion, demonstrating robust 12% year-over-year growth. Gross Margin: Reported at 47.1%. Apple’s expected gross margin for Q3 FY25 (45.5%-46.5%) is slightly lower than Q2 FY25 (47.1%) due to a $900 million tariff impact. This shows that geopolitical trade tensions are now directly affecting Apple’s profitability. The company is absorbing these extra costs, which is reducing its margins. This highlights the challenge Apple faces in keeping its high profits in a complicated global trade environment and emphasizes the importance of its efforts to diversify its supply chain. Key Areas to Focus On - Segment Performance Analysis Apple’s Q3 FY25 revenue is expected to show modest growth, with iPhone sales projected at $39.8–$40.61 billion, up 2.2%–3.3% year-over-year. The new iPhone 16e and strong sales in China, driven by discounts and government subsidies, have supported growth despite tough competition from local brands like Huawei. However, maintaining this momentum may require continued aggressive promotions, which could impact profitability. The Services segment remains Apple’s strongest growth driver, with revenue forecasted at $26.9–$27.5 billion, reflecting 10.7%–11.3% growth. This segment benefits from a growing user base, over 1 billion paid subscribers, and strong App Store sales, providing a stable, high-margin revenue stream. Mac sales are expected to grow 2.2%–5%, supported by M4 chip upgrades and back-to-school demand, while iPad revenue may decline after a strong Q2. Wearables and accessories face challenges, with no major product updates to boost sales. Source: Created by Zain Vawda, Google Gemini Tariffs remain a significant concern, with a $900 million impact on Q3 gross margins (45.5%–46.5%). Apple is addressing this through supply chain diversification, shifting iPhone production to India and Vietnam. By 2027, 25% of iPhones are expected to be made in India. Apple is also investing $500 billion in U.S. facilities, including a new AI server factory in Texas. While Apple has absorbed costs so far, rising tariffs and production expenses may lead to selective price increases, particularly for high-end models. External Concerns - Tariffs and Apple’s Supply Chain Strategy Tariffs remain a major challenge for Apple, with an estimated $900 million impact on Q3 FY25 profits, reducing gross margins to 45.5%-46.5%. Former President Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff on iPhones not made in the U.S. could add $110 to the cost of each device, increasing pressure on Apple’s pricing and profitability. To address these risks, Apple is accelerating its "China Plus One" strategy, shifting production to India and Vietnam. By late 2024, 15% of iPhones were made in India, up from 5% two years earlier, with plans to reach 25% by 2027. Most iPhones sold in the U.S. are now made in India, boosting U.S. imports of Indian-made smartphones by 240% in Q2 2025. Vietnam now produces nearly all iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods for the U.S. market. Source: Created by Zain Vawda, Google Gemini Apple is also investing $500 billion in U.S. facilities, including a new AI server factory in Texas, and stockpiling inventory to manage tariff risks. While Apple has absorbed costs so far, analysts warn that rising tariffs and production expenses may lead to selective price increases, particularly for high-end models like the iPhone 17. Forward Outlook - Apple’s AI Strategy and Market Outlook Apple is heavily investing in AI, focusing on features like Siri upgrades, Live Translation, and tools for smarter apps and photos. However, delays in AI rollouts and talent losses to competitors like Meta pose challenges. Privacy-focused on-device AI limits Apple compared to rivals, but its AI-powered Apple Silicon remains a key strength. The tech market is growing, with global IT spending expected to rise 9.3% in 2025, driven by AI and software demand. Consumer interest in smart-home, gaming, and health-tech devices aligns with Apple’s ecosystem strategy, offering opportunities in AI-enabled wearables. Source: Created by Zain Vawda, Google Gemini Apple continues strong shareholder returns, with $29 billion in Q2 FY25 buybacks and dividends, plus a $100 billion repurchase plan. Analysts remain optimistic, with a $230.92 price target (9.3% upside). Shares trade near $212.48, with resistance at $215-$216 and potential to retest $250 highs if momentum builds. Technical Analysis From a technical standpoint, Apples share price has been in a period of consolidation since late April. 2025 has not been an easy year for Apple shares given its exposure to China and concerns about a trade war. The chart below, you can see the significant selloff since early December 2024, which has continued for the majority of 2025. Lower highs and lower lows were being printed until early April before the consolidation period. Now looking ahead and a positive trade deal with China coupled with trade deals with a host of other countries could set the tone for a bullish breakout. Furthermore, a positive earnings release and a plan for AI may be what is needed for bulls to return to the fold and push prices back toward 2025 highs. Immediate support rests at 204.60 before the lower band of the range at 193.16 comes into focus. Looking at the upside, immediate resistance rests at 217.00 before the 225.00 handle comes into focus. Apple Daily Chart, July 30, 2025 Source: TradingView 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.

Gold prices declined by 1% on Wednesday as solid US economic data reinforced expectations of the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady for now, dimming the appeal of the safe-haven metal. By midday ET, spot gold traded at $3,292.75 per ounce, falling below the $3,300-an-ounce level for the first time in a month. US gold futures also fell 1%, but maintained a higher price of $3,345.3 per ounce. Click on chart for Live Prices The decline followed better-than-expected US employment data for the month of July, as well as second-quarter GDP data that beat analyst expectations. “The releases that just came out really look quite supportive for the economy. GDP was an upside surprise. Same with labor market addition. So both indicate that the Fed can continue to wait on cutting rates,” said Nitesh Shah, commodities strategist at WisdomTree. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave rates unchanged later in the day, resisting pressure from US President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for cuts. Traders currently see a 60% chance of the Fed cutting rates in September versus 66% before the data. Shah also noted that the louder the administration voices its distaste for current policymaking, the more likely it is to drive gold prices, as the metal tends to thrive in low-rate environments. Bullion has already risen by a quarter this year amid uncertainty surrounding global trade and increased buying pressure. In late April, it touched a record high of just above $3,500 an ounce. (With files from Reuters)

After last week's beginning push down in the US Dollar, bringing in some fresh air for Forex majors, the rest of the week reversed the action. The US dollar recovered astonishingly and broke above the 99.00 Psychological level for the first time since the June-end drop in the Dollar Index. Major pairs have largely corrected after this move, with EUR/USD going from 1.18 to currently trading below 1.15. Even the Swissie, which was close to record highs against the USD, is now being sold off. Today's FOMC Meeting will be essential for determining the future course of action, particularly as stronger GDP and Employment Data prompt the Fed to maintain its rates at the current 4.50% level. In the meantime, this ongoing rally in the USD has shifted financial flows quite largely, with the continuing geographic trend of movement in the FX space – European, Asian-Pacific, and North-American currencies are moving in tandem. The ongoing rally has started to hurt some of this year's best-performing assets, like Gold, Bitcoin and some global Equity indices, as Participants rush to buy back their heavily positioned USD selloffs. Read More: A look at US bonds ahead of the July FOMC rate decision You can take a look at the past week's Mid-week update to see how the dynamic has changed and how fast it happened. North-American Indices Performance North American Top Indices performance since last Monday, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView US Equity indices are still overperforming other global indices, but the progress is slowing a little bit ahead of the key events that markets are anticipating. Let's see how the most recent Trade deal news will affect the flows, with the August 1st Deadline approaching fast. Dollar Index 8H Chart review US Dollar Index 8H Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView In our most recent US Dollar analysis, we observed how the past week correction was resembling closely to a break-retest formation, looking very bullish for the US Dollar. Its demand has suddenly flew upwards, particularly with the streak of positive data which just keeps surprising markets. Observe the reactions on the DXY to the 99.40 level, acting as a magnet for prices ahead of the Rate Decision. Also, keep a close eye on the 99.00 handle and its pivot which serves as an immediate measure for bull/bear domination of the price action. US Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors USD vs other Majors, July 30, 2025 - Source: TradingView. As seen throughout the introduction, the Dollar has been rallying consequently against the other majors, particularly against the European currencies. It's surprising to see the JPY hold so well however, with markets putting the foot of the pedal ahead of tonight's Bank of Japan Rate Decision after the yen struggled quite a lot throughout July. Canadian Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors CAD vs other Majors, July 30, 2025 - Source: TradingView. The performance for the Loonie has been a less impressive compared to the one from the USD – The Greenback really took off on the back of its CAD neighbour. You also can notice the performance of the JPY throughout this comparative chart. Intraday Technical Levels for the USD/CAD USDCAD 4H Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView Since our last week look at the North-American pair, the action did materialize into a break-retest with USDCAD breaking above its 1.3750 Range highs – point which now just turned into a longer term pivot Zone. The impulsive upwards move is now consolidating just above the 1.38 Handle, with this level acting as immediate resistance. Breaking above would point to a test of the 1.3850 Main resistance. Rejecting the current levels would look to retest the highs of the range mentioned right before. This morning's unchanged Bank of Canada Policy Rate hasn't changed much to the ongoing course of action, and the struggling US-Canada trade talks is not helping the Loonie too much. US and Canada Economic Calendar for the Rest of the Week US and Canadian Data for the rest of the week, MarketPulse Economic Calendar This week still has a lot to give for both US and Canada data, with the US Core PCE and Canadian GDP releasing tomorrow morning at 8:30 (click on the image to check the expectations). Friday trading could be even bigger between US and Canadian PMIs, the August NFP release for the Employment data of the prior month and finally the University-of-Michigan 10:00 AM release. Safe Trades ahead of the FOMC Meeting! 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.

Northern Superior Resources (TSXV: SUP) cut a highlight result of 9.1 metres grading 11.99 grams gold per tonne at its Philibert property in Quebec. The stock jumped. That result, in hole PB-25-490 from about 104 metres depth, included 1 metre at 101 grams gold, Northern Superior said Wednesday. Another hole, PB-25-504, cut 18.8 metres at 1.83 grams gold from 6.7 metres downhole, including 10.6 metres at 3.02 grams gold from about 12 metres depth. “We are particularly encouraged by PB-25-504, which intersected mineralization right at the contact between the bedrock and overburden,” CEO Simon Marcotte said in a statement. “The continued success at the southeast pit, the recent deep high-grade hits, and now this new hanging wall mineralization, all underscore the potential to grow Philibert well beyond the current resource.” Shares of Northern Superior rose 3.8% to C$1.09 in midday Toronto trading Wednesday. That gave the company a market capitalization of about C$188 million. Northern Superior is conducting a 20,000-metre expansion drilling program at Philibert, which sits in the area known as the Chibougamau gold camp, about 60 km southwest of the eponymous Quebec city and 9 km from Iamgold’s (TSX: IMG; NYSE: IAG) Nelligan project. The company’s land package in the Chibougamau gold camp covers about 680 sq. km. Chibougamau is about 675 km north of Montreal. Crews are developing a follow-up drilling program at Philibert to investigate the higher-grade near-surface mineralization – as well as at depth – to increase the ounces in the resource pit. Northern Superior might also add an underground component to the resource. Other highlights released Wednesday include hole PB-25-505, which cut 33 metres at 1.29 grams gold from 9 metres depth, and hole PB-25-494, which cut 5.7 metres at 1.15 grams from about 166 metres downhole. Philibert holds 7.88 million indicated tonnes grading 1.1 grams gold for 278,900 oz. of contained metal; and about 48.5 million inferred tonnes averaging 1.1 grams gold for 1.7 million oz. of contained metal, according to a 2023 estimate.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has acknowledged a Nasdaq filing proposing an amendment to BlackRock iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA). This proposal seeks to enable the ETF to stake its Ethereum holdings, allowing it to participate in the ETH proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and potentially earn staking rewards. What Happens When Institutional Staking Goes Mainstream? BlackRock just received regulatory acknowledgment to include staking in its Spot Ethereum ETF. As mentioned by Çağrı Yaşar on X, acknowledging the filing isn’t a minor regulatory checkbox. It’s the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) handing institutions a key, and not just to ETH price action, but to its engine. This staking isn’t about price speculation. It’s about alignment, incentives, governance, and yield. Unlike traditional asset holding, staking involves actively securing the network by validating transactions and supporting ETH’s consensus. With recent regulatory approvals allowing BlackRock and other institutions to include staking in Spot ETH ETFs, this will enable Wall Street to hold ETH as a speculative asset. Thus, they can begin earning from the yield generated by the ETH core protocol mechanics, and integrate deeply into the network infrastructure. However, if ETH staking becomes ETF-native, it will redefine what it means to invest in a financial network. ETH would become the first global-scale digital infrastructure where traditional capital markets not only invest, but they become active participants in the protocol. The SEC has effectively validated ETH’s consensus model as not only secure but worthy of institutional involvement. This is how empires shift, and not with headlines, but with details no one expected. This highlights that major shifts in power or systems don’t always announce themselves loudly. Instead, they often happen quietly, through small regulatory changes. ETH isn’t becoming Wall Street-friendly. Wall Street is becoming ETH-compatible. This is when a new technology enters mainstream finance, and people assume it’s being reshaped to fit traditional systems. Furthermore, Yaşar noted that the network effect has just turned financial. This means that the value of a network grows as more participants join. Why Institutions Are Backing Protocol Infrastructure In an X post, VirtualBacon stated that BlackRock and JPMorgan aren’t investing in Ethereum for speculative hype or short-term price gains. Instead, their focus lies on ETH’s growing role as a foundational platform for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and stablecoin infrastructure. Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, has been unequivocal about his vision for ETH’s future, stating that he aims to tokenize stocks and build investment funds directly on the ETH blockchain. This marks a significant institutional endorsement of ETH as a platform for next-generation finance. Meanwhile, Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan has softened his previously cautious stance on cryptocurrencies, especially following recent regulatory clarity provided by initiatives under the GENIUS Act. This shift signals growing openness among traditional financial leaders to integrate blockchain technology into mainstream finance.

Winsome Resources (ASX: WR1) is walking away from its proposed acquisition of the Renard diamond mine, a deal that would have fast-tracked the development of its flagship Adina lithium project in Quebec. In April 2024, the Australian lithium developer entered into an option agreement with Canada’s Stornoway Diamonds to acquire the past-producing diamond mine in the James Bay region, which operated for nearly a decade until market conditions forced its shutdown in late 2023. The plan for Winsome was to repurpose the existing mine infrastructure at Renard for processing ore from its Adina project, which would cost far less than developing its own lithium processing facilities from scratch. The Renard site has had C$900 million invested in its development, and is estimated to have a processing capacity of 2.2 million tonnes per year. Since signing the agreement, the company has taken its time to evaluate the potential acquisition and extended the option date several times, with the most recent deadline set at August 31, 2025. To activate the option, it would need to pay a total consideration of C$52 million, including an initial payment of C$4 million. This week, Winsome announced that it has exercised its right to terminate the call option agreement, citing the “evolving lithium market conditions and broader macroeconomic considerations.” “The company remains focused on the advancement of its flagship Adina lithium project and continues to monitor sector conditions and assess opportunities aligning with its long-term strategy and capital allocation priorities,” the company stated in a press release Tuesday. The Adina project is hailed as one of the top three largest lithium resources in North America, at nearly 78 million tonnes grading 1.15% Li2O, about half of which is in its production plans. Over an estimated life of 21 years, the mine is expected to produce 280,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually. Anchored by this production, a scoping study released last year gave the project a post-tax net present value of $743 million, an internal rate of return of 43%, and a payback period of 1.8 years. However, the spodumene concentrate prices at the time are forecasted at $1,375 per tonne, more than double the current market price. Winsome Resources closed the Wednesday trading session 9.4% higher with a market capitalization of A$42.7 million.

Most Read: Microsoft (MSFT) Earnings Preview: AI, Azure, and Outlook USD/CAD is eyeing its 5th consecutive day of gains, but with two Central Bank meetings to navigate will such a move materialize? Bank of Canada (BoC) Keep Rates on Hold The Bank of Canada kept its interest rate steady at 2.75% in July 2025, as expected. This marks the third hold after cutting rates by 2.25 percentage points over seven decisions. The Bank said it couldn’t provide clear guidance on the economy due to uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs, which continue to disrupt global trade. Despite the challenges, Canada’s economy has remained resilient, with strong employment and positive growth projections for the second half of the year under current tariff conditions. However, second-quarter GDP is expected to shrink as exporters received fewer orders after rushing shipments in the first quarter. On inflation, the Bank expects it to stay close to its 2% target in the medium term. Interest Rate Differential Favors USD/CAD Upside There is currently a rate differential in play between the US and Canada. This comes after an aggressive rate cutting cycle by the Bank of Canada while the US Federal Reserve adopted a more cautious approach. If the Fed continues to hold rates as I suspect, this differential will underpin USD/CAD until either the BoC or the Fed blink. If the BoC blink first, this could add further to the differential and help USD/CAD rise even further. Oil Prices to Play a Role? As trade deal announcements continue to flow through as well as the IMF increasing their outlook for global growth this morning, will Oil prices power ahead? The question this year has been one of a global slowdown, but following the upgraded US GDP outlook today and the IMF news, is oil demand set for a boom? According to the IMF, Global growth is projected at 3.0 percent for 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026, an upward revision from the April 2025 World Economic Outlook. This reflects front-loading ahead of tariffs, lower effective tariff rates, better financial conditions, and fiscal expansion in some major jurisdictions. Global inflation is expected to fall, but US inflation is predicted to stay above target. Downside risks from potentially higher tariffs, elevated uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions persist. If this is correct and Oil prices continue to trend higher, this could put a spanner in the works for further USD/CAD upside. Higher Oil prices could offer support to the CAD and may offset the rate differential, leaving USD/CAD somewhat rangebound. WTI Oil Daily Chart, July 30, 2025 Source: TradingView.com (click to enlarge) Technical Analysis - USD/CAD From a technical standpoint, USD/CAD has many confluences that are pointing toward further upside. First we have a potential triple bottom pattern which concluded with a low on July 23, 2025. (see chart below) Next we have the channel break which has the potential to ignite a rally all the way up toward previous highs around 1.4800. The period-14 RSI has also broken above the neutral 50 level and is still some distance away from overbought territory. A sign of further upside ahead? There will be a pullback at some point with strong resistance ahead at around 1.3900-1.4000 area. The bullish setup will only be invalidated with a daily candle close below the 1.3585 handle. USD/CAD Daily Chart, July 30, 2025 Source: TradingView.com (click to enlarge) Client Sentiment Data - USD/CAD Looking at OANDA client sentiment data and market participants are short on USDCAD with 63% 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 USD/CAD prices could rise in the near-term. For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. 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.

The Canadian dollar extended its losses on Wednesday. In the North American session, USD/CAD is trading at 1.3811, up 0.29% on the day. The Canadian dollar is down for a fifth straight trading day, declining 1.6% during that time. Earlier, the Canadian dollar weakened to 1.3819, its lowest level since May 30. Bank of Canada holds rates As expected, the Bank of Canada held the benchmark rate at 2.75% for a third consecutive meeting. The rate statement noted that US trade policy remains "unpredictable". Canada and the US are still locked in a trade war and the BoC will be hesitant to lower rates until there is greater clarity with regards to US trade policy vis-à-vis Canada. Fed expected to stay on the sidelines again The Federal Reserve meets later today and is all but certain to maintain the benchmark rate for a fifth straight meeting. Although the rate decision won't be a surprise, investors will be looking for clues regarding the September meeting, as the markets have priced in a rate cut at 63%, according to CME's FedWatch. What could prove interesting at the meeting is the possibility of a split vote. Not one dissenting vote, but perhaps two. Fed Governor Christopher Waller and Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman have both voiced concern that interest rates are too high given the widening cracks in the US labor market. The last time that two members dissented in a rate decision was in 1993. Fed Chair Powell is likely to be quizzed about tariffs and inflation at his press conference. The US has concluded trade deals with the Japan and the EU, which has reduced the uncertainty over trade policy. Will Powell sound hawkish or will he signal that the Fed is ready to cut in September? USD/CAD Technical USD/CAD has pushed above resistance above 1.3782 and 1.3795 and is testing 1.3817. Next, there is resistance at 1.38301.3760 and 1.3747 are providing support USDCAD 4-Hour Chart, July 30, 2025 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.

Markets have just received the data for both ADP Private Employment (104K vs 78K estimate) and the Annualized US GDP Data (3% vs 2.4% exp), with both showing strong signs for the largest Economy yet again. Equity Markets have been moving choppy since the weekly gap at the open, and as the US Dollar is making fresh new highs, it is a good time to look at US Treasury Bonds. These are not the most commonly traded asset class by Retail Traders but they still represent a gigantic volume of financial transactions daily, particularly US Treasuries. Bonds have been struggling to find strong demand despite the June war-fears and the few bouts of flight-to-safety that markets have seen. Between record deficits, an isolationist Trump Administration Policy, tariffs leading to much higher inflation expectations (bad for bonds) and a general rewiring of financial flows throughout 2025, Gold and the CHF really have been the standout performers in term of Safe-Havens at the cost of USTs. Is there anything that could prop the bonds to rally despite the strong data which would on paper make it more interesting to invest in risk assets? Read More: Microsoft (MSFT) Technical: Bullish trend remains intact above 20-day moving average For those who don't know, bonds and their supply/demand move the yields that we see on TV: US 10Y Yield, it might also be common to see the US 30Y Yield with its relation to borrowing rates. For a straightforward explanation, higher demand for bonds (bonds up) = Lower Yields (generally). Let's take a look at the US Treasury curve and spot technical clues on US 10Y Bonds for future price action. Taking a look at the US Yield Curve US Treasuries Yield Curve, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView On this chart above, we see the tenures for Yields of different bond durations. The Purple line shows the 1-year ago, flattened yield curve from higher main policy rates leading to lower inflation expectations (hence lower longer duration yields) The Red line shows the 1-month ago curve, with the same shape as the current one but with higher yields across. The yield curve is currently steep as Markets price in lower rates in the upcoming 2 years, leading to higher long-term inflation expectations (even higher than before due to tariffs). The pricing of interest Rate cuts tend to steepen the curve. No cuts are expected for this meeting but there is still about 50 bps of cuts expected to the current 4.50% Main Policy Rate. Comparative Performance for different Bond tenures Bond Performances since March 2025 to today – Source: TradingView As seen with this comparative performance chart, higher inflation expectations and deficits combined with a lower general trust for what was considered one of the safest hedge against risk has propped up longer-run bonds quite largely. This is in part one of the reasons why Borrowing Rates are so high in the US (look at the 2 and 10 Year bond perf vs the 30Y). That's another effect of the Trump Steepening effect, infamous among bond traders. Technical Analysis for the most commonly traded US Treasury: The 10-Year BondWeekly Chart for the US 10Y Bond US 10 Year Bond Weekly Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView Since the end of the hike cycle in July 2023, bonds have been stuck in rangebound trading. Bond Markets have been in a unique phase after decades of lower yields and Quantitative Easing leading to Central Banks buying Bonds to lower yields further (similar to what the Bank of Japan has been doing since the end of the 1990s). Particularly with the ongoing diversification from US Investments from actors like China for example (who used to be huge bidders for USTs), it is difficult to look at the past to spot similar conditions. Anyhow, prices have been consolidating for almost 2 years in a 7 handle range (107.00 to 114.00 with a few fakeouts) and Participants are still looking to get a better view on the effect of inflation on tariffs. Prices are just passing above the flat 50-Week MA – reactions here will be interesting. Part of the reason why the FED is reluctant to cut rates is due to the ongoing strong US economy. Any cut right now would lead to much higher expected inflation in the future and may bring up longer-run borrowing rates too much for the Economy to handle, despite lower short-term policy rates. Daily Chart US 10 Year Bond Daily Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView There is an ongoing triangle formation looking closer to the daily charts, with Bonds freshly rebounding on the lower trendline (supported by the 50 and 200-Day MAs). However, the fun for Bonds was short-lived with this morning's Beat on US Data which brought some supply. Looking at the RSI and the flat Moving Averages, the action is more neutral than anything, and it seems that markets have priced in the impact of tariffs – The rest will be to see if data comes in worse or better than the current pricing. Spot the reactions as we approach to the top or bottom of the Triangle formation. Support Levels: 50-Day MA 110.90110.50 Lower bound of Triangle formation109.00 to 110.00 Main SupportResistance Levels: Mid-range Pivot acting as immediate resistance 111.50July 1st Highs 112.38Intermediate Resistance around 112.50113.00 to 114.00 Main Resistance4H Chart for the 10Y Bond US 10 Year Bond 4H Chart, July 30, 2025 – Source: TradingView We are seeing the establishment of a Pre-FOMC range between the 110.74 Lows and the 111.42 Highs – These will be the levels to watch for relative bull/bear strength as volatile trading after the rate decision may easily test these boundaries and potentially break them. The rest is to see if we break higher or lower, depending on the communication regarding future cuts. Safe Trades and good luck for the upcoming FED Meeting! 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.

US President Donald Trump’s executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining has reignited fierce global debate over the future of ocean resources, international law and environmental oversight. Framed as a bid to reduce US reliance on China for critical minerals, such as nickel and copper, the move has instead sparked concerns over ecological damage and international stability. Signed in April, Trump’s directive leverages the US Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act to bypass international regulatory bodies and directly authorize seabed mining operations, including in international waters. This path circumvents the United Nations’ International Seabed Authority (ISA), the global body responsible for regulating deep-sea mining and protecting ocean ecosystems. The order marks a dramatic shift away from decades of US adherence, albeit unofficial, to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While the US has never ratified UNCLOS, it has historically followed its guidelines, particularly when asserting claims over maritime territory. The new unilateral approach signals a departure that legal experts warn could undermine global maritime governance and spark a broader trend of independent action. Fracturing framework Mining lawyer Scot Anderson, co-head of the Energy and Natural Resources practice at Womble Bond Dickinson, notes the US has always had an “awkward relationship” with UNCLOS. Although Washington helped shape the treaty, it rejected ratification due in part to provisions requiring shared mining technology. Even so, the US has long abided by its deep-sea mining provisions through a separate agreement under Part XI of UNCLOS. “By fast-track deep sea mining, the US may undercut that framework, and could create both legal and diplomatic risks,” Anderson told MINING.COM. He cautioned that other countries may now feel justified in ignoring international norms. “[actions that weaken the UNCLOS legal framework] could embolden nations already expanding claims to territorial waters to stretch boundaries further,” he added. This shift comes as the ISA continues to delay the release of long-promised exploitation rules. Under UNCLOS, the ISA was obligated to publish those regulations by 2023 after Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. triggered a rule-making deadline with its 2021 application to mine the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a mineral-rich region of the Pacific. Two ISA meetings have passed without agreement, leaving a vacuum that countries like the US are now exploiting. ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho, who took the helm in January, has sharply condemned moves to bypass the authority’s governance, warning that any unilateral action weakens international law and collaboration, just as ecological and legal safeguards are needed most. Environmental and diplomatic fallout Greenpeace USA’s latest report, Deep Deception, argues that geopolitical tension is being strategically leveraged to justify a reckless rush into seabed mining. The group accuses the industry of exploiting regulatory delays to fast-track exploitation of one of Earth’s last untouched frontiers. Major General (Ret.) Randy Manner, in the report’s foreword, warned that defying international consensus could destabilize the very foundations of national security. “The bedrock of national security is not simply weapons or minerals — it is global stability, rule of law, and ecological resilience,” Manner wrote. Jeff Watters, vice president of external affairs at Yale University’s Ocean Conservancy, echoed that warning. “A decision to unilaterally embark on deep-sea mining runs counter to the way we as a global community have been cooperatively working on the high seas for decades,” he said in a recent interview. Watters argues that such moves could trigger diplomatic rifts and even maritime conflict. “It opens a Pandora’s box of legal and territorial disputes on the high seas. We’re not just talking about environmental impact — this is about maintaining peace and order in international waters.” Full tilt Despite the controversy, Canada’s The Metals Company (TMC) is moving full speed ahead. In April, the company submitted applications under the US mining code for a commercial recovery permit and two exploration licences covering nearly 200,000 square kilometres of the Pacific seafloor. These zones include areas rich in polymetallic nodules—rocky deposits laden with cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements. In June, South Korea’s Korea Zinc invested $85.2 million in TMC, acquiring a 5% stake. The deal positions Korea Zinc as a non-Chinese alternative capable of refining TMC’s extracted materials into battery-grade metals. “This is more than capital,” said TMC CEO Gerard Barron. “It’s alignment on values, on urgency, and on building a resilient supply chain for the United States.” Peer Impossible Metals, a Silicon Valley startup with operations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has asked US federal officials to launch an auction for access to seabed deposits off the coast of American Samoa. Scramble beneath The US is not alone. Several nations, including the Cook Islands, Japan and Norway, are pursuing deep-sea mining within their territorial waters, citing rising global demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects surging needs for key minerals used in clean energy tech. Copper and rare earths may see demand jump 40%, while lithium, cobalt, and nickel could rise as much as 90%. Supporters of seabed mining argue that undersea extraction has a lower environmental footprint than traditional land-based mining. But critics insist that claim remains unproven. The deep ocean is home to ecosystems that science barely understands, and disturbing them could trigger consequences that ripple up the food chain. Watters notes that the failure of the ISA to issue clear rules only deepens the risk of chaotic, piecemeal development. Until the global community sets enforceable guidelines, he says, the temptation for countries to act alone will remain and that makes future conflicts more likely. Ticking clock As the ISA struggles to finalize its framework, time may be running out for international coordination. Once one nation begins commercial-scale mining outside the UN framework, others may follow. This will set a precedent that could unravel decades of diplomatic effort. For now, Trump’s executive order has lit a fuse under the global seabed, raising difficult questions about who controls the ocean floor and at what cost. Whether the world moves toward cooperation or conflict may hinge on how quickly (and how wisely) international bodies and national governments respond.

Bitcoin remains trapped in a tight consolidation range that began over two weeks ago, fueling expectations of an imminent breakout or breakdown. The lack of decisive movement has created a state of market indecision, with neither bulls nor bears taking full control. Price continues to hover between key support and resistance levels, showing no strong signs of accumulation or distribution. According to new data from CryptoQuant, the Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase—a metric that reflects the overall temperature of the market—currently sits at a neutral level. This indicates that market conditions are balanced, with no clear dominance from buyers or sellers. Profit-taking remains moderate, ETF inflows have slowed, and long-term holder activity is stable, all of which support the view that the market is in a wait-and-see mode. The current structure suggests that a major move is likely approaching. With volatility compressed and the market treading water, traders and investors are closely watching for a signal that will define the next leg. Whether Bitcoin breaks out toward new highs or rolls over into a correction, the coming days will be crucial in shaping the short-term trend and broader sentiment across the crypto landscape. Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase Signals Neutral Market Top analyst Axel Adler recently shared insights into the Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase—a metric that condenses several key market indicators into a single scalar value, offering a simplified yet powerful view of where Bitcoin stands in its broader macro cycle. The metric combines data points such as overvaluation assessments, profit-taking activity, long-term holder (LTH) selling pressure, and ETF inflows to gauge whether the market is overheated or entering a favorable accumulation zone. When the Heat Macro Phase reaches high values near 50%, it typically signals that these components are at their upper historical bounds—suggesting an overheated market that may be nearing a distribution phase or a correction. Conversely, readings closer to 30% reflect cooler market conditions: lower profit-taking, modest ETF activity, and minimal LTH selling. These scenarios often indicate that the market is undervalued and ripe for accumulation. Currently, the Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase sits at 44%, putting it squarely in the neutral zone. Adler explains that this level reflects a balanced market environment—neither overbought nor undervalued. There’s no clear dominance by bulls or bears. Profit-taking is beginning to accelerate, but it hasn’t reached a level that would suggest a broader exit is underway. This mid-range reading aligns with Bitcoin’s recent price action, which has remained in a tight consolidation for over two weeks. As the metric hovers in neutral territory, it reinforces the idea that the next significant move—whether upward toward new highs or downward in a correction—will depend entirely on upcoming price behavior. For now, the Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase acts as a market barometer, signaling patience as investors wait for the next breakout or breakdown to confirm direction. BTC Price Action Details: Tight Consolidation Bitcoin continues to consolidate between well-defined support and resistance levels, currently trading at $118,269.81 on the 12-hour chart. The price action has remained confined within a horizontal range, with upper resistance at $122,077 and strong support at $115,724. This range has persisted for over two weeks, reflecting a phase of indecision where neither bulls nor bears have asserted dominance. The 50, 100, and 200 SMAs—located at $116,342, $111,334, and $106,668, respectively—are all trending upward, suggesting that the broader structure remains bullish. BTC is currently trading above all key moving averages, which are acting as dynamic support. However, volume has decreased significantly, indicating a lack of conviction from both sides of the market. The tightening structure suggests that a breakout is approaching. If buyers manage to push BTC above $122K with strong volume, the next leg higher toward new all-time highs could follow. On the other hand, a breakdown below $115K would invalidate the current setup and open the door to a deeper correction. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Since the major swing low of 7 April 2025, which was seen across the major US stock indices ex-post US Liberation Day tariffs announcement, Meta Platforms performed almost on par (39.12%) with the “Magnificent 7”; 6 mega-cap technology stocks, inclusive of Tesla (40.34%) (see Fig 1). Meta Platforms is set to report its Q2 earnings after the close of the US session on Wednesday, 30 July. Analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) of $5.88, up from $5.16 in the same quarter last year. Fig 1: Performance of Mag 7 ETF, NVDA, MSFT, META, AMZN, GOOGL, AAPL & TSLA from 7 April to 28 July 2025 (Source: TradingView) Fig 2: Meta Platforms medium-term trend as of 30 July 2025 (Source: TradingView) Preferred trend bias (1-3 months) Bearish bias with 747.90 as key medium-term pivotal resistance, and a break below 680.50 exposes the next medium-term support at 620.55 (also the 200-day moving average and the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the up move from 21 April 2025 low to 30 June 2025 all-time high). Key elements Based on the Elliot Wave Principle/Fibonacci analysis, the recent medium-term uptrend phase from 21 April 2025 low to 30 June 2025 high may have reached an exhaustion point at 747.90, which increases the odds of a medium-term corrective decline at this juncture.The daily RSI momentum indicator has staged a bearish breakdown below a key parallel ascending support and has yet to reach its oversold region (below 30). These observations suggest a build-up of bearish momentum. The ratio chart of Meta Platforms versus the S&P 500 has trended lower since 11 July 2025, which highlights further potential relative strength underperformance of Meta Platforms against the S&P 500. Alternative trend bias (1 to 3 months) A clearance above 747.90 invalidates the corrective decline scenario to see the continuation of the bullish impulsive up move sequence for the next medium-term resistances to come in at 804.90 and 848.00 (Fibonacci extension and the upper boundary of the long-term secular ascending channel from the October 2022 low). 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 recent viral story shared by TikTok user Steve shows a new level of sophistication in phishing scams. Gone are the days of poorly written emails filled with grammatical and logical errors. Now, scammers have figured out how to mimic real customer support email addresses – in this case, from Coinbase itself. Voice Phishing – ‘Vishing’ Latest Scam Tool The scam follows a consistent pattern. The victim receives an automated voicemail from a U.S. phone number claiming to be Coinbase, warning of suspicious account activity. Then, the scammer makes a live follow-up call from a supposed Coinbase support team member, stating there has been an unauthorized attempt to change the victim’s email and phone number. The scam unfolds quite simply—while attempting to ‘stop’ the supposed unauthorized attempt, the scammers gradually build the victim’s trust and collect information. Eventually, often after multiple calls from different numbers and various ways of ‘confirming’ the scammers were legitimate, the phishing attempt reaches its peak, and the victim is asked for their wallet keyphrase. TikTok user Steve remained suspicious and recognized that asking for a seed phrase is the one inviolable law of crypto: ‘not your keys, not your crypto.’ Give up that seed phrase, and you no longer control your digital assets. But the mix of fear and urgency – stop the threat now! – can compel people to reveal information they would never share otherwise. Phishing Attempts Build Off Leaked Data Trust is built on information, and during interactions, scammers often refer to key personal data. They used his real name and email address obtained through leaked data to appear legitimate. Coinbase experienced several significant data breaches in the past, including a major leak of private information in May. The company estimates that social engineering scams cost them over $300 million annually. It also disclosed that personal data from as many as 97,000 users was exposed through bribed or compromised call center staff. Coinbase branding is also a key part of the scheme, with scammers using websites and emails that closely resemble the real ones. Fraudsters reportedly deceive users through cloned emails, spoofed caller IDs, PBX systems, and even pre-generated seed phrases. Private Keys, Non-Custodial Wallets Key to Defeating Phishing Scams In the end, never divulge your key phrase. And along with that, use a non-custodial wallet. Savvy crypto investors can protect themselves from most attacks by personally keeping your keys and not depending on a third party. Using a wallet with the most recent crypto security features is also important. Luckily, Best Wallet app offers MPC and biometric security – and is fully non-custodial. Best Wallet Token ($BEST) – Advanced Security Meets Web3 Utility Best Wallet Token ($BEST) offers the best of both worlds – a no-KYC, non-custodial web3 wallet combined with the latest in crypto security measures. And the $BEST token enhances the wallet’s core functions. Beyond swaps, multiple wallets, and a growing list of supported chains and tokens, users also benefit from lower transaction fees, higher staking rewards, and early access to the best new crypto projects. Web3 wallets like Best Wallet are increasingly more than just places to store your digital assets; they serve as gateways to the emerging crypto economy. That’s certainly true with Best Wallet, which plans to introduce a Best Card to complement the wallet and token. The $BEST presale has already raised over $14M; with tokens priced at $0.025405 (and our price prediction showing a possible increase to $0.05106175), there’s never been a better time to get in on the project, so check out how to buy $BEST. Visit the Best Wallet Token presale to learn more about the project. $BEST, Best Practices Key To Defeating Phishing Attempts Ultimately, most scammers seek quick wins; victims who lack knowledge and willingly give up their information. Keep your keys to yourself and always use a non-custodial wallet. As always, we’d like to stress the importance of doing your own research. This isn’t financial advice.

Crypto analyst Lourenço has predicted that the Ethereum price could rally to $9,000 in this market cycle. This comes as ETH eyes a breakout against its BTC pair, which could spark a massive run for the crypto and other altcoins. Ethereum Price Eyes Rally To $9,000 This Cycle In an X post, Lourenço opined that the Ethereum price could rally to as high as $9,000 at some point in this market cycle. This came as he analyzed the weekly ETH chart. The analyst noted that, depending on how the trend on the upper side of the wedge is drawn, the altcoin may have already broken it with hard closes above. Lourenço declared that the $4,000 level is an important one and that once it flips into support, there will be additional resistance between $4,700 and $5,000. However, the analyst believes that the Ethereum price is ultimately set to go and tag between $8,000 and $9,000. He also indicated that the risk-return ratio on ETH is very hard to ignore at the moment. Crypto analyst Galaxy also echoed a similar bullish sentiment for the Ethereum price. In an X post, he said that there is a lot of potential upside for ETH on the BTC pair. The analyst noted that the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is still bottomed and that, from his perspective, the trend is just beginning. His accompanying chart showed that the RSI isn’t in overbought levels despite the fact that the Ethereum price has rallied over 60% in the past month. Notably, ETH’s RSI had surged above 60 on previous highs, including when it reached its current ATH of $4,800 in 2021. The Key Is For ETH To Break Above $4,000 In an X post, crypto analyst Ted revealed that the key is for the Ethereum price to break above the $4,000 level. He noted that since the 2021 ATH, ETH hasn’t been able to reclaim the $4,000 level. However, if that happens this time around, he declared that the ETH pump will be “unstoppable.” His accompanying chart showed that the Ethereum price could rally to $5,200 in the short term. This will mark a new all-time high for the altcoin. Crypto analyst Merlijn also hammered on the $4,000 resistance. He noted that this has been the ceiling for ETH since 2021, and it has been rejected from this level seven times. However, the Ethereum price is again looking to break above this level. Merlijn remarked that this resistance isn’t just another resistance but the “gate to price discovery.” His accompanying chart showed that ETH could reach $11,000 between now and 2026 if it breaks this resistance level. At the time of writing, the Ethereum price is trading at around $3,800, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Microsoft is the second top-performing stock in the “Magnificent 7” group since 7 April 2025, major low (ex-post US Liberation Day tariffs announcement), where it staged a rally of 43.48% from 7 April to 28 July (see Fig 1). Microsoft is set to report its Q2 earnings after the close of the US session on Wednesday, 30 July. Analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) of $3.38, up from $2.95 in the same quarter last year. Fig 1: Performance of Mag 7 ETF, NVDA, MSFT, META, AMZN, GOOGL, AAPL & TSLA from 7 April to 28 July 2025 (Source: TradingView) Fig 2: Microsoft medium-term trend as of 30 July 2025 (Source: TradingView) Preferred trend bias (1-3 months) Bullish bias with key medium-term pivotal support at 486.00 with resistances at 536.10/539.55 (Fibonacci extension cluster), and 566.90 (upper boundary of medium-term ascending channel and Fibonacci extension) (see Fig 2). Key elements The key medium-term support of 486.00 is defined by the rising 50-day moving average.Since its 7 April 2025 low of 344.79, its price actions have evolved within a medium-term ascending channel and traded above the 50-day moving average since 25 April 2025, which supports an ongoing medium-term uptrend phase.The ratio chart of Microsoft versus the S&P 500 has continued to trend higher above an ascending trendline in place since 31 March 2025 that highlights further potential relative strength outperformance of Microsoft against the S&P 500.Alternative trend bias (1 to 3 months) A breakdown below 486.00 damages the medium-term uptrend to kickstart a corrective decline sequence to expose the next medium-term supports at 456.20 and 437.00 (also the 200-day moving average). 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.

British fintech and neobank Revolut is considering acquiring a US bank to accelerate its entry into the American market. According to a recent report by The Financial Times, published on 30 July 2025, Revolut is eyeing the acquisition of a nationally chartered bank that already holds a license. If this goes through, Revolut will be able to skip the often-lengthy procedure of acquiring a banking license from scratch. By shortening the process of securing an independent banking charter, Revolut will be able to simplify its lending capabilities in the American market. The report also indicates that the UK-based neobank is considering applying for its own US banking license as an alternative to acquiring an existing chartered institution. Revolut has been eying a US market expansion for some time now. It has 60 million users worldwide as of now, and an entry in the US, as the world’s largest financial market, is expected to boost its deposits in contrast to the slowdown that many UK fintech companies are currently facing. According to the Financial Times report, Trump’s deregulatory push has led investors and companies to believe that the bank charter process can be sped up by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Revolut, as a result, is carefully considering its options before making a concrete move. Explore: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in July 2025 Revolut Seeks To Scale Via Expansions In The Middle East, Latin American Market Reportedly, Revolut is currently amidst discussions for a funding round that would boost its valuation to around $65 billion, according to the Financial Times. The company will allocate a portion of the raised capital to further its expansion plans in the future. Revolut has explored similar acquisition opportunities in other regions as a part of its broader expansion strategy, including plans to buy a bank in the Middle East. Additionally, just last month, it finalised the purchase of the Argentinian lender Cetelem from BNP Paribas. While it also holds a banking license in Lithuania, which grants Revolut access to the European Union and Mexico, the company has yet to score a banking license in the UK. While its application was approved last year, regulatory restrictions in the region have continued to limit its lending operations. Explore: 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x in 2025 Revolut Acquiring US Bank License: Could Reboot Digital Asset Play Revolut’s global ambitions, however, are beyond just traditional banking. The company already offers crypto trading across the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA) and has resumed limited services in Hungary last week. A new legislation in Hungary required crypto firms to secure domestic licenses, leading to a pause earlier in the summer. Revolut stopped its crypto offerings in the US in October 2023 amid regulatory uncertainty. Now that perspectives have changed, its pursuit of a banking license can potentially clear a pathway for the company to offer a broader range of services in the US, including digital assets. However, it all depends on whether its application is approved or not. Explore: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2025 Key Takeaways UK neobank, Revolut, is eying a US nationally chartered bank to accelerate its American license bid The UAE and Latin America are a part of Revolut’s global expansion strategy Revolut is weighing its options and might consider applying for its own US banking license as an alternative The post Revolut Eyes US Bank Buyout To Accelerate Its American License Bid appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

On November 16, Chileans will head to the polls to elect their next president, who will govern until 2030 and, in doing so, set the course for the country’s most important economic engine: its mining sector. At stake is the future of Codelco, the state-owned copper giant that helped build modern Chile but is now drowning in debt, stuck with aging infrastructure and recovering from years of production declines. Once a source of national pride, Codelco has been teetering on the edge of an industrial crisis. As of December last year, the company’s debt has ballooned to over $20 billion and production was slowly edging higher after hitting a 25-year low in 2022. Legal obligations to hand over 70% of its profits and 10% of its sales to the government have choked its ability to reinvest in itself, threatening its future and the fiscal stability of the country. Once a source of national pride, Codelco has faced challenges. (Chuquicamata miners, courtesy of Codelco.) With rival candidates offering radically different solutions, from sweeping privatization to aggressive state reinvestment, this election is shaping up to be more than just a political contest. It’s a make-or-break moment for Chile’s mining future. As the world’s leading copper producer and a top supplier of lithium, Chile’s supply is essential to the global push for electrification. If its mining engine stalls, the ripple effects won’t stop at its borders. With the primary season behind them, the final contenders are now locked in a high-stakes battle over the country’s economic core. If no one wins a majority, a runoff on December 14 could extend the uncertainty. Candidates on both sides of the political spectrum are presenting starkly different paths forward, ranging from state-led modernization to partial privatization. Either way, the path Chile chooses later this year could redefine its role on the global resource map and determine whether its mining sector sinks or rebounds. Right-wing rivals: privatization and market-oriented policies LEFT: José Antonio Kast. (Image courtesy of Patricio Alarcón | Flickr Commons.) | RIGHT: Evelyn Matthei. (Image courtesy of Chile’s Government | Wikipedia.) On the right, both Evelyn Matthei and José Antonio Kast are pushing for partial privatization of Codelco. They argue that opening the company to private capital and loosening state control would improve efficiency and restore its financial health. Their plans include selling non-core assets to pay down debt and shifting focus from state revenues to operational performance. While these proposals could generate immediate fiscal relief, they carry political risks. Chileans have historically resisted privatization of strategic assets, and backlash from workers and unions could be fierce. Still, their market-oriented vision has gained traction among investors frustrated with sluggish permitting, bureaucratic delays and rising costs under the current administration. Jeannette Jara and the far left: full public control Jeannette Jara. (Image courtesy of Chile’s Government | Wikipedia.) Jeannette Jara of the Communist Party was chosen in June to represent the ruling coalition. She beat her second-place rival Carolina Tohá, who was proposing a restructuring of Codelco to allow it to retain more profits for reinvestment rather than draining cash to fill government coffers. Jara opposes the current government’s proposed joint venture between Codelco and lithium miner SQM (NYSE: SQM), citing past scandals and calling for a new public company to co-develop lithium resources. If elected, she says she would honour any deal finalized before her term, but prefers a model akin to Codelco’s role in copper. On foreign policy, Jara has pledged to focus on diversifying trade ties, including with China, India and within Latin America, especially if US tariff threats escalate. “We have to act prudently to safeguard our national interest,” she has said. While polls suggest she could make it to a run-off, most scenarios show her losing to a right-wing contender in the second round. Tightrope for investors Chile’s economy has held up well in 2025, buoyed by mining activity. GDP grew 2.3% year-on-year in the first quarter, with further acceleration in April, according to BNP Paribas. But long-term stability will depend on resolving Codelco’s troubles and creating a regulatory environment that attracts investment without sparking social unrest. John Zadeh, CEO of junior mining investment firm Discovery Alert, said the election could tip the scales for global investors. “Chile’s election is a referendum on how to balance resource nationalism with economic pragmatism,” Zadeh said. “The status quo, however, guarantees decline.” Security concerns continue to be a primary issue for voters, as rising crime in what was once a safe and peaceful Chile has emerged as the leading worry in recent polls. That adds another layer of complexity for companies already navigating volatile commodity markets, tightening capital, and global decarbonization pressures. With the first round of voting set for November and a likely run-off in December, the race is entering a decisive phase. What’s certain is that the direction Chile takes, toward deeper state control, partial privatization or something in between, will ripple across global supply chains and investment flows.

What started as a suspicion of cheating ended with an arrest for XRP/USD theft. Nancy Jones, widow of country icon George Jones, says her longtime partner, Kirk West, stole more than $17 million in XRP from her Tennessee home. Dang, you never want to see that happen to your XRP. RIP. Reportedly, with doubts about West’s loyalty growing, Jones asked her granddaughter to check on her money, only to find that a Ledger wallet and $400,000 in cash were gone. That wallet held over 5.5 million XRP tokens. West was picked up by police at Nashville International Airport on July 24, just as Franklin police opened their investigation. XRPPriceMarket CapXRP$183.49B24h7d30d1yAll time XRP/USD: Attempted Extortion and Partial Recovery Court documents allege that West later contacted Jones and offered to return only a portion of the stolen funds. “He said he would wire me $5 million and that was all I was going to get,” Jones recounted, per the criminal affidavit. Although Jones was able to recover approximately 5 million XRP, she still suffered a loss of over 483,000 tokens. West now faces charges of felony theft over $250,000, and his bond is set at $1 million. The theft adds a layer of drama to what’s already been a busy week for Ripple Labs. On July 25, Ripple published a new report exploring how stablecoins are shaping global payment infrastructure. The company highlighted how stablecoins are becoming increasingly important in regions with volatile local currencies and limited USD access. “Stablecoins like USDC, USDT, RLUSD, and newer region-specific tokens are being integrated into wallets and payment platforms worldwide,” Ripple wrote. Traditional Finance Embraces XRP Stablecoin Tech The stablecoin invasion by legacy finance is well underway. Visa has now processed more than $225 million in stablecoin payments. Mastercard is pushing out stablecoin-linked debit cards. Worldpay is expanding stablecoin payouts across both the U.S. and Europe. And XRP looks to be one of the coins at the center of this revolution, so make sure to keep those coins safe! “From blockchain-based networks to mobile money aggregators, the financial services ecosystem is evolving fast… Stablecoins and fintech innovators are transforming global transactions.” -Ripple Foundation EXPLORE: XRP Price Jumps 11% After SEC Crypto Unit Tease XRP ETF Progress DISCOVER: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in 2025 Join The 99Bitcoins News Discord Here For The Latest Market Updates Key Takeaways What started as a suspicion of cheating ended with an arrest for XRP/USD theft. “Stablecoins like USDC, USDT, RLUSD, and newer region-specific tokens are being integrated into wallets and payment platforms worldwide,” Ripple wrote. The post $17M XRP/USD Heist: Widow of Country Legend George Jones Victimized in Crypto Theft appeared first on 99Bitcoins.