Quick Summary

• Dominion Energy shares climbed more than 12% in early trading following news that NextEra Energy is exploring a potential acquisition valued at approximately $66 billion.
• LiveRamp shares spiked 26% after Publicis Groupe announced plans to acquire the company for $2.5 billion at $38.50 per share—representing nearly a 30% premium.
• Bitcoin Depot shares plummeted 63% after the company announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and shut down its ATM operations.
• S&P 500 futures declined 0.42% while Bitcoin fell 2.05% to $76,778 amid broader market weakness.
• Victory Capital and Regeneron led decliners with drops of 39.3% and 12.2% respectively during early market hours.

Monday’s early trading session delivered dramatic price swings across multiple equities, fueled by significant merger activity, a major bankruptcy announcement, and widespread market headwinds.

Dominion Energy emerged as one of the session’s strongest performers. The utility provider’s stock jumped over 12% following reports that NextEra Energy has entered preliminary acquisition discussions. According to sources, the potential all-stock merger would value Dominion at approximately $66 billion, with total enterprise value reaching roughly $116 billion including existing debt obligations.

NextEra Energy, Inc., NEE

If finalized, this transaction would represent the utility sector’s largest acquisition ever recorded. The deal would provide NextEra with expanded access to the PJM interconnection grid, particularly in Northern Virginia—a region experiencing explosive data center expansion driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure needs. However, negotiations remain ongoing and no definitive agreement has been reached, meaning discussions could ultimately collapse.

LiveRamp represented another significant winner in early trading. The company’s stock surged 26% following Publicis Groupe’s announcement of a $2.5 billion all-cash acquisition. Under the agreement terms, Publicis will pay $38.50 for each LiveRamp share—reflecting approximately a 29.8% premium compared to Thursday’s closing price. Publicis indicated the acquisition would bolster its data analytics and artificial intelligence offerings, simultaneously revising upward its financial projections for 2027 and 2028.

Bitcoin Depot Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Bitcoin Depot experienced the session’s most severe decline. The stock crashed 63% after management announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. Company leadership stated intentions to cease operations and liquidate remaining assets.

Chief Executive Officer Alex Holmes attributed the collapse to increasingly stringent fraud prevention mandates, escalating regulatory compliance expenses, ongoing litigation challenges, and intensifying regulatory scrutiny that rendered the business model economically unviable. The entire Bitcoin ATM infrastructure has been deactivated. Canadian business units are similarly anticipated to enter restructuring proceedings.

Market-Wide Weakness Emerges

Beyond specific equity movements, markets faced generalized downward pressure. S&P 500 futures decreased 0.42%, with Dow futures sliding 0.66%.

Bitcoin declined 2.05% to reach $76,778. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.609%, while gold futures registered modest losses and crude oil futures posted slight gains.

During Friday’s session, the S&P 500 retreated 1.24% and the Dow fell 1.07%. Asian equity markets similarly declined, with Japan’s Nikkei index dropping nearly 1%.

Among notable losers, Victory Capital tumbled 39.3% and Regeneron declined 12.2% in early action. Natera also recorded a significant pullback, losing more than 5%.

Additional early session gainers included Bio-Rad Laboratories, MYR Group, and ServiceNow, each advancing at least 5%.

Michael Saylor has suggested that Strategy could buy more Bitcoin (BTC) this week. He also urged retail investors to vote on a proxy measure allowing semi-monthly STRC payouts.

Saylor Teases Bitcoin Buy

Strategy’s Michael Saylor has hinted that the Bitcoin treasury company could buy more BTC this week. Saylor posted the all-too-familiar chart that has tracked Strategy’s purchases for the better part of six years. The former Strategy Chairman has consistently posted the chart when teasing a substantial corporate purchase. A potential BTC acquisition could add to the company’s Bitcoin holdings. Strategy currently holds 818,869 BTC, valued at around $67.2 billion at current prices.

Retail Investors Urged to Vote on STRC Dividend Vote

Saylor and Strategy are also encouraging retail investors to vote on a proxy measure that would allow the company to pay semi-monthly dividend payouts to STRC holders. Retail investors own 80% of Strategy’s perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC). The company claims semi-monthly payments will help reduce reinvestment lag, enhance liquidity, and ensure price stability. Strategy acknowledged the importance of retail investors in its social media feed as it attempts to get them to return their proxy vote, stating in a post on X,

“If you are a STRC shareholder and have not already voted, please take a moment to do it now. Together, we can make history and establish the $100 standard for Digital Credit. 80% of STRC is held by retail investors. This amendment is for you. Vote for STRC to pay semi-monthly dividends. Your vote matters. Make it count.”

Limited Interest

However, Saylor and Strategy’s overtures have seen a lukewarm response from retail investors. A Harvard Law School research note revealed that retail investors voted on only about 29% of their owned shares over the past five proxy voting seasons. On the other hand, institutional investors have voted about 77%.

Strategy has rescheduled a live Q&A session with Saylor and CEO Phong Le for Wednesday at 5 PM ET as it tries to drum up support. The session will be moderated by Natalie Brunell and will be livestreamed on YouTube and X, and retail shareholders have been encouraged to submit their questions.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Key takeaways

• BTC dips lower for a fourth straight day on Monday after losing nearly 6% the previous week.
• US-listed BTC spot ETFs record a weekly outflow of $1 billion, the highest in three months.

Bitcoin (BTC) remained under pressure on Monday, trading below $77,000 after declining nearly 6% last week, as persistent spot ETF outflows and stronger-than-expected US inflation data dampened investor appetite for risk assets.

The latest decline marks Bitcoin’s fourth consecutive day of losses, with the cryptocurrency continuing to retreat after failing to sustain momentum above the key $82,000 resistance zone.

Hot US inflation data boosts hawkish Fed expectations

Bitcoin’s recent weakness accelerated following hotter-than-expected US inflation data released last week, alongside stronger US retail sales figures that reinforced expectations for a more hawkish Federal Reserve.

The renewed inflation concerns strengthened the US dollar and pushed Treasury yields higher, creating additional pressure on risk-sensitive assets such as cryptocurrencies.

Higher interest rate expectations typically reduce market liquidity and shift investor capital toward safer, yield-generating assets, limiting demand for speculative markets like Bitcoin.

The rejection near the $82,000 level also triggered additional profit-taking from short-term holders, intensifying the correction.

Institutional demand for Bitcoin also weakened notably last week. According to data from CoinGlass, US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded net outflows of approximately $1 billion last week, marking the largest weekly withdrawal since late January.

The sharp reversal in ETF flows signals a cooling of institutional sentiment after several weeks of strong inflows that had previously supported Bitcoin’s rally.

If ETF outflows continue in the coming sessions, analysts warn that Bitcoin could face additional downside pressure.

Bitcoin price outlook: Bulls failed to take out a key resistance level

The BTC/USD 4-hour chart is bearish after Bitcoin’s price was rejected near the 100-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) around $82,289.

BTC also closed last week below the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level near $78,490, measured from the October all-time high of $126,199 to the February low around $60,000.

The breakdown below those key technical levels has shifted momentum firmly lower. If selling pressure persists, Bitcoin could extend losses toward the major psychological support level at $75,000.

On the weekly chart, momentum indicators remain mixed but increasingly cautious. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) slipped below the neutral 50 level and currently sits near 35, signaling a strong bearish momentum.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram is also in the negative region, suggesting that the bears are in control. 

If the bearish trend persists, immediate support sits near the clustered 50-day and 100-day EMAs below current price action.

Further downside targets include the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement near $74,487, followed by the previous trendline breakout zone around $70,576.

Below that, the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement near $68,950 remains a critical level protecting Bitcoin’s broader bullish structure above the $60,000 swing low.

However, if the bulls regain control, initial resistance emerges near the 50% Fibonacci retracement around $78,962, followed by the 200-day EMA near $81,853.

A stronger bullish continuation would likely require a daily close above the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement near $83,437 and the horizontal resistance barrier around $84,410.

Key takeaways

• Dogecoin extends its correction on Monday as memecoins record huge losses.
• DOGE could drop below $0.10 if the bearish trend persists. 

Memecoins record huge losses

The cryptocurrency market opened the new weekly candle bearish, with Bitcoin (BTC) slipping below the $77,000 level on Monday and risk appetite deteriorating across digital assets.

Meme coins started the week on a weak footing as the broader cryptocurrency market continued to struggle. Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and Pepe all remain vulnerable to further downside after heavy selling pressure emerged following last week’s market correction.

DOGE is down by 5%, making it the worst performer among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap. 

Dogecoin briefly rallied last week and retested the important weekly resistance zone near $0.119 on Thursday before sellers regained control.

The rejection triggered a fresh wave of downside pressure, with DOGE falling nearly 6% through Sunday and extending losses further on Monday as the token traded below the $0.106 level.

Technical outlook: DOGE risks a deeper correction below key EMAs

The DOGE/USD 4-hour chart is bearish as the leading memecoin has dropped below major support levels. 

If DOGE closes the daily candle below the 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near $0.106, selling pressure could intensify toward the 50-day EMA around $0.103.

A decisive breakdown below that support area may expose the previous trendline breakout region near $0.090, which now acts as the next major downside target.

Momentum indicators continue to reinforce the bearish outlook for Dogecoin. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the 4-hour chart currently sits near 41, slipping below the neutral 50 threshold and signaling that bearish momentum is beginning to strengthen.

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator confirmed a bearish crossover on Saturday, a signal that remains active and continues to support downside risk in the near term.

Despite the bearish setup, Dogecoin could still attempt a short-term rebound if buyers successfully defend the 100-day EMA support near $0.106.

A sustained hold above that level may allow DOGE to recover toward the key weekly resistance zone around $0.119.

However, broader market sentiment, particularly Bitcoin’s direction, is likely to remain the dominant driver for meme coin price action in the near term.

South Korea’s financial regulator is reportedly reviewing Hana Bank’s planned $668 million purchase of a 6.55% stake in Dunamu, the operator of the largest domestic cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit.

Local outlet iNews24 cited an unnamed Financial Services Commission official to report that regulators are examining whether Hana Bank’s share purchase from Kakao Investment, rather than directly from Dunamu, falls under broader “banking-commerce separation” rules.

The official said Hana’s investment would be assessed under the same standards as a direct stake in the exchange operator.

Hana Financial Group’s banking unit agreed to buy about 2.2 million Dunamu shares from Kakao Investment for 1 trillion won (roughly $668 million) on Friday.

The transaction would make Hana Bank the fourth-largest shareholder of Upbit. Source: DART

South Korea scrutinizes bank ties to crypto firms

South Korea’s crypto market has long operated under a supervisory principle known locally as “banking-commerce separation,” which limits ownership ties between traditional financial institutions and non-financial businesses.

Related: South Korea plans July rules for tokenized securities

Crypto firms such as Dunamu occupy a gray area under the framework because virtual asset operators are not classified as traditional financial institutions.

In the local outlet Maeil Business Newspaper on Monday, a high-ranking FSC official was cited as saying that “banking-commerce separation” constraints on crypto are not explicitly written into current law and instead operate through policy and supervision.

Some restrictions involving bank participation in crypto operate through supervisory policy and regulatory interpretation rather than explicit legislation.

Related: South Korea crypto holdings halve in a year as investors turn to stock market

In April, South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party proposed its own version of a wide-ranging crypto bill that could establish a legal framework for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and virtual asset service providers.

Broader finance push into South Korea’s crypto market

Hana’s move comes amid a broader push by financial groups into South Korea’s tightly regulated crypto market.

In February, Mirae Asset agreed to buy a 92.06% stake in exchange Korbit via Mirae Asset Consulting for about 133.5 billion won (roughly $93 million), rather than through its securities arm.

On Friday, local media reported that OKX and Korea Investment & Securities are in talks to take roughly 20% stakes each in local exchange Coinone via a new share issuance.

Asia Express: North Korea denies crypto hacks, Upbit’s bank tests Ripple