Crypto World
Binance MiCA Dispute Tests ECB Role in Crypto Licensing Process
Binance’s troubled progress toward securing a MiCA license in Greece has sparked scrutiny over whether EU institutions beyond the formal licensing authorities could be influencing outcomes. The issue comes at a critical point in the MiCA rollout, with a hard transitional deadline approaching on July 1 that will determine which crypto-asset firms can continue operating across the EU under the new regulatory framework.
According to reports cited by Cointelegraph, speculation has grown that communication from European Central Bank (ECB) leadership may have affected political support for the exchange. Lawyers contacted by Cointelegraph, however, emphasized that MiCA’s design places the licensing decision with national competent authorities (NCAs), while also leaving room for other EU institutions to provide input.
Key takeaways
- Under MiCA, crypto-asset service provider (CASP) licenses are issued by national regulators, not directly by ECB or other EU-level bodies.
- Legal analysis suggests MiCA does not bar EU institutions such as the ECB from providing an opinion or sharing concerns with an NCA during a CASP review.
- In Binance’s reported Greece case, the relevant authority is the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), while ESMA’s role is supervisory and not equivalent to granting the CASP license.
- ECB rhetoric on stablecoins has elevated the policy stakes, even though stablecoin-specific provisions in MiCA are distinct from the exchange licensing chapter.
- The situation highlights the compliance risk for EU market participants as the transitional period ends and licensing decisions become binding for continued operation.
MiCA licensing: national decisions with EU-level input
MiCA establishes a licensing regime for CASPs that is executed through national competent authorities. The regulation assigns authorization responsibilities to NCAs, meaning that an EU institution like the ECB does not, by itself, grant or deny an exchange license.
In Binance’s case, the licensing authority in Greece is the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC). Binance said in January that it had applied for a MiCA license in Greece. In the days that followed subsequent reporting about the application, Binance also indicated that the application had been reviewed for MiCA compliance and that it had been subject to an ESMA-level review as well, while maintaining that authorization would be decided at a future board meeting.
Legal practitioners contacted by Cointelegraph stressed that MiCA’s wording does not prevent other EU institutions from communicating with national regulators during the review. David Lesperance, founder at Lesperance & Associates, told Cointelegraph that “nothing in the MiCA framework would prevent a third party like the ECB from offering its opinion to that national authority on Binance’s application.”
Similarly, Yuriy Brisov of Digital & Analogue Partners noted that MiCA does not explicitly restrict the ECB from advising or sharing concerns with an NCA. At the same time, he pointed out an important structural detail: ECB involvement is expressly defined in specific parts of MiCA, especially regarding stablecoin issuance, rather than in the CASP licensing provisions that apply to exchanges.
In practice, this distinction matters for compliance and governance. Firms seeking MiCA authorization must address requirements assessed by the NCA, but they may also face broader regulatory scrutiny where EU institutions publicly or informally signal policy concerns that could affect how national regulators evaluate risk.
What the Greece reports suggest—and what remains unclear
Reports cited by Cointelegraph stated that Greece’s market regulator was preparing to reject Binance’s MiCA application. A subsequent report alleged that ECB President Christine Lagarde had signaled, through communication with Greece’s prime minister, that Binance should not be welcomed in Europe. These accounts were reported as the end of MiCA’s transitional period approached, increasing the practical importance of the final authorization outcome for firms’ continued EU operations.
However, public clarity around the exact decision status of the application has been limited. Brisov noted that the HCMC had not published a decision on Binance’s application. Cointelegraph also reported that ESMA does not itself authorize CASP licenses under MiCA, reinforcing that the decisive authority remains at the national level.
For institutional stakeholders, the unresolved question is not only whether an NCA will approve or reject a specific applicant, but also how cross-institutional signaling may shape the direction and tone of the licensing process. Even where legal authority is clearly assigned, the regulatory ecosystem often includes multi-layer interactions that can influence supervisory expectations, risk tolerance, and the evidentiary standards applied to applicant reviews.
ESMA and HCMC did not immediately respond to Cointelegraph’s requests for comment. The ECB and France’s securities regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), also declined to comment.
Stablecoins and the ECB’s policy position: why it colors the debate
While the immediate dispute centers on a CASP license in Greece, the policy background is strongly linked to stablecoins. The ECB has repeatedly expressed concerns about privately issued stablecoins and has argued for payment and settlement infrastructure that is anchored in central bank money or otherwise tightly integrated with regulated financial systems.
According to reporting referenced by Cointelegraph, the alleged Lagarde intervention was tied, at least in part, to the stablecoin question. ECB officials have also argued in public remarks that Europe should prioritize regulated settlement systems rather than rely on private stablecoins. In separate commentary, ECB leadership has warned that stablecoins could reinforce the dominance of the US dollar.
This policy emphasis has compliance implications for exchanges and liquidity providers because stablecoin activity can affect how regulators assess systemic risk, market integrity, and the potential for regulatory arbitrage across jurisdictions.
Separately, market positioning is frequently cited in discussions of regulatory significance. Cointelegraph reported that CryptoQuant data indicated Binance held a large share of centralized-exchange stablecoin reserves, including USDT and USDC. The underlying point for institutional readers is not the particular figure itself, but the broader relevance: entities with large stablecoin footprints may become central to regulators’ expectations even when the formal decision concerns an exchange licensing application rather than stablecoin issuance permissions.
Cross-border compliance at the July 1 deadline
MiCA’s transitional period is designed to bring market participants into a harmonized regulatory regime. For exchanges and other CASPs, the July 1 deadline can determine whether continued EU operations require renewed authorization, restructuring, or cessation of certain activities under the new licensing framework.
This case illustrates a recurring compliance challenge across the EU: while legal responsibilities and licensing powers sit with NCAs, the regulatory environment is shaped by the priorities of EU-level institutions. Where institutions focus on stablecoins, payment settlement architecture, or financial stability, national regulators may adjust how they interpret MiCA’s risk-based requirements for CASPs—especially where an applicant’s business model intersects heavily with stablecoin liquidity and on- and off-ramp ecosystems.
Cointelegraph also reported that France could be another potential route for Binance, though it noted that no formal French application had been filed at the time of reporting. The broader compliance takeaway for firms operating across multiple EU jurisdictions is to avoid treating MiCA authorization as a purely jurisdiction-specific process; the effective evaluation can reflect an interplay of national supervision and EU policy priorities.
Closing perspective
As MiCA authorization outcomes tighten around the July 1 deadline, the Binance Greece situation underscores that the licensing process is not only a legal question of MiCA compliance checklists, but also a test of how EU regulatory institutions coordinate—formally and informally—around financial stability, stablecoin policy, and cross-border market integrity. Observers will likely focus next on whether the HCMC issues a decision and how other jurisdictions handle similar applications under the harmonized but politically charged MiCA landscape.
Crypto World
AI Won’t Make You a Good Trader, But Here’s How the Pros Use It Anyway
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how crypto and traditional markets get traded, yet four leading analysts agree it rewards skill rather than replacing it. The edge in AI in crypto trading still comes from clean data and human judgment.
Charles Edwards of Capriole Investments and Julio Moreno of CryptoQuant call AI an accelerant for serious research. Benjamin Cowen and Michael van de Poppe, speaking on a separate panel, reach the same conclusion from the trading desk.
Four Analysts, One Conclusion
On-chain analytics and AI tools have moved from niche to mainstream across crypto research. Two BeInCrypto panels gathered four analysts who use them every day.
Edwards founded Capriole Investments, a quantitative Bitcoin (BTC) hedge fund. Moreno serves as Head of Research at CryptoQuant. Cowen and van de Poppe are widely followed, independent market analysts.
Speaking at the Market Intelligence Council, Edwards said AI shifts the opportunity toward those who do the work.
“I think AI as well is making that… playing field more opportunistic for certain people.”
On a separate panel, van de Poppe set the limit plainly.
“It’s not going to make you a great trader if you weren’t a good trader in the first place.”
Where AI Already Helps
The clearest gains show up in routine research. AI now compresses tasks that once took hours.
Edwards pointed to faster analysis as the main benefit.
“The tool sets to do that are much more powerful and… it can be done more quickly today with AI.”
Van de Poppe showed how accessible this has become. He built a sample crypto portfolio using a chatbot and free data feeds. Tools like AI agents now pull live market data on demand.
“You can build a portfolio and a dashboard of cryptocurrencies within five minutes with just free APIs.”
Why AI Still Needs a Human
Speed does not equal skill. Van de Poppe noted that his AI portfolio missed important context.
“It didn’t create a basket of uncorrelated cryptos… it doesn’t have any macros in there.”
He said judgment fills that gap.
“That’s where the human knowledge and experience comes in and the intuition… That the AI agent doesn’t have or the LLM.”
He also warned against treating AI as magic. The tool will not deliver “some sort of magic that creates an infinite money loop.” That caution matches the wider market, where few experts back hands-off trading bots.
Moreno said institutions trust data but keep testing it.
“They do trust it but they verify a lot, and are continuously monitoring if the data remains relevant.”
Inside the Models
Professional funds treat AI as infrastructure, not a crystal ball. Edwards built his firm around large, tested models.
“We build hundreds of metrics and we also use hundreds of other data sources to build out comprehensive models… Combining onchain technicals and macro data for many years to build out trading models.”
Capriole’s Macro Index reflects that approach. The firm combines more than 60 on-chain, macro, and equities metrics into one machine-learning model. Most data platforms publish thousands of metrics, yet models still need careful curation.
Cowen is building his own bot from the ground up.
“Right now all the bot does really is regurgitates things that I say. It’s almost like an AI version of me.”
He avoids training on low-quality AI output to prevent model decay.
“I don’t want it to use AI slop that’s out there to create more AI slop”
Van de Poppe runs his fund the same way. AI writes the base of his trading algorithms, but a human keeps steering it, or it keeps “working on stuff that is wrong for your system.”
The Data Behind the Models
Every model depends on the data beneath it. Moreno gave the sharpest example of a data edge.
“They will trade for example mining stocks instead of waiting for your quarterly report you’re tracking in real time actually what they’re mining.”
Network hashrate offers one such real-time signal. It tracks how much computing power miners commit to Bitcoin each day.
The same method applies to equity exchanges. Bitcoin miner stocks have drawn fresh attention as AI infrastructure spending climbs. Julio Moreno continues:
“Some of the crypto exchanges have also started trading on stock exchange and so you can be monitoring the trading volume to assess the revenues.”
Cowen added that data quality decides the outcome. He values records from before the AI era.
“Data before 2022 in some ways is actually really valuable because it was data before all the AI stuff was even here.”
For institutions and retail traders alike, the lesson holds. AI compresses the work and widens access, but the advantage flows to operators with clean data and the judgment to steer the model. As adoption spreads, that judgment becomes the real differentiator.
The post AI Won’t Make You a Good Trader, But Here’s How the Pros Use It Anyway appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Crypto World
XRP Withdrawal Activity Surges Across Major Exchanges as Bybit’s Deposit Wave Reverses
TLDR:
- Coinbase posted a seven-day net reading of -15,500 on June 18, exceeding its April and February lows.
- Binance recorded -7,100 on June 18, near April levels and below its February 14 reading of -5,200.
- Bybit’s net reading collapsed from +27,000 on June 7 to roughly -200 by June 18 in just 11 days.
- Spot XRP ETFs now hold 1.41% of circulating supply after just five outflow days since March 27.
XRP withdrawal activity is again gaining traction across major cryptocurrency exchanges, with fresh on-chain data from June 18 pointing to a notable shift.
Coinbase and Binance both posted deeply negative seven-day net depositing and withdrawing transaction readings.
Meanwhile, Bybit’s unusually large early-June deposit surge has nearly fully reversed. Separately, spot XRP ETFs in the United States continue accumulating supply, now holding over 1.4% of circulating tokens.
Coinbase and Binance Post Negative Net Transaction Readings
Coinbase recorded a seven-day net depositing and withdrawing reading of -15,500 on June 18. That figure fell below its April 9 reading of -14,200 and its February 14 level of -12,300. The move places the current withdrawal dominance at a more extreme rate than either prior episode.
Binance followed the same direction on the same date. Its reading dropped to -7,100, near April levels and below the -5,200 recorded on February 14. That cross-exchange alignment removes any suggestion that the activity is exchange-specific.
Source: Cryptoquant
The metric tracks the net number of depositing versus withdrawing transactions. It does not measure the total XRP volume or dollar value transferred between accounts. Even so, a synchronized drop across two of the largest exchanges carries weight as a behavioral indicator.
The back-to-back negative readings across Coinbase and Binance point to a broader pattern. XRP holders appear to be moving tokens away from centralized venues at a pace that now exceeds prior notable periods this year.
Bybit’s Deposit Surge Collapses While ETF Holdings Pass 1.4% of Supply
Bybit presented the sharpest single-exchange reversal. Its net reading stood at roughly +27,000 on June 7, reflecting an unusually concentrated deposit wave at the time.
By June 18, that figure had fallen to approximately -200, erasing nearly all of the early-June movement within 11 days.
The speed of the reversal at Bybit adds context to the Coinbase and Binance readings. Together, the three data points suggest a coordinated behavioral shift across major XRP trading venues during June. The withdrawal side is reclaiming dominance across different exchange types and geographies.
On the institutional side, spot XRP ETFs in the United States recorded net inflows of approximately $2.82 million on June 15.
Following that session, the suite of Ripple-linked ETF products now holds 1.41% of XRP’s entire circulating supply.
Since March 27, spot XRP ETFs have posted net outflows on just five trading days. That streak reflects sustained institutional demand running alongside the exchange-level withdrawal activity now observed across Coinbase, Binance, and Bybit.
Crypto World
Bitcoin Traders Brace for New Lows as Data Warns Against Bearish Bets
Bitcoin is slipping back toward the $59,000 area after a failed rebound attempt left buyers unable to retake key resistance levels. The move has traders watching the downside closely, particularly as technical signals remain bearish and large pools of liquidations are reported to be concentrated near the yearly low.
At the same time, on-chain flow data suggests one source of immediate sell pressure may be easing: CryptoQuant analysis cited by the article points to a sharp decline in exchange inflows from mid-sized investors across Binance, Coinbase, and Coinbase Prime around June 19.
Key takeaways
- Bitcoin is approaching its yearly low near $59,000 after a recovery attempt stalled below the $67,500–$70,500 fair-value gap.
- Liquidation positioning is reportedly heavy near $59,000 (about $4 billion in leveraged longs), raising the odds of a liquidity-driven push lower before any rebound.
- CryptoQuant data shows mid-sized investor inflows to major exchanges fell across Binance and Coinbase to levels not seen since April 4.
- RSI is reportedly hovering near oversold conditions, which can precede volatility spikes and relief bounces after liquidation events.
Why $59,000 remains the center of attention
The latest price action reflects a stalled attempt to reclaim lost ground. According to the report, BTC failed to reach the daily fair-value gap between $67,500 and $70,500, and sellers regained control around the 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages—levels described as acting as overhead resistance.
On the four-hour timeframe, the rejection reportedly pushed BTC below an ascending channel, marking a bearish break of structure. With price trading below that channel’s range, traders highlighted internal liquidity support around $60,700 before the market tests the yearly low near $59,000.
What makes the $59,000 zone particularly important is the clustering of leverage. The article cites liquidation data indicating that around $4 billion in cumulative leveraged long positions are concentrated near $59,000. If price trades into that area, forced liquidations can amplify downside moves by triggering additional selling—often referred to by traders as a “liquidity sweep” of trapped positioning.
Beyond that level, the next larger pocket of reported liquidity is near $68,000, where more than $4.75 billion in cumulative positions are said to be clustered. That distribution matters because it frames both the near-term risk (downside flushing into clustered longs) and the potential upside horizon if liquidations exhaust and a rebound takes hold.
Momentum signals: oversold conditions and the case for a bounce
Beyond structure and liquidity, the report also points to momentum indicators moving toward extremes. It notes that the relative strength index (RSI) is hovering near oversold territory. Another drive toward the yearly lows could push RSI below 30, a level that traders frequently associate with elevated odds of a sharp relief reaction after liquidation-driven selling.
Two separate traders emphasized that the market may not simply follow the most obvious liquidity path. Analyst “Killa” suggested Bitcoin could front-run a liquidity pool below $60,000 rather than fully sweeping the wider area. The reasoning, as presented in the article, is that markets sometimes move opposite the level that becomes “crowded attention,” referencing a past example where Bitcoin reportedly front-ran liquidity above $140,000 in October 2025.
Trader “LP” also cautioned against becoming “too bearish” in the immediate term, pointing instead to the possibility of a bottom forming toward late June. Together, these views underscore a key practical takeaway: even when liquidation maps point to downside, the timing of the flush versus the subsequent rebound can be difficult to forecast.
Exchange inflows cool—selling intent appears to ease
While price action and liquidation data focus on what happens when leverage is already positioned, exchange inflows help gauge what capital may be preparing to sell. The article attributes this portion of the story to CryptoQuant analyst Amr Taha, who reported that inflows from mid-sized Bitcoin investors declined simultaneously across Binance, Coinbase, and Coinbase Prime on June 19.
As stated in the report, Binance recorded roughly 3,500 BTC in inflows, Coinbase nearly 3,000 BTC, and Coinbase Prime about 1,700 BTC—described as the lowest readings since April 4. The article frames this as a reduction in near-term sell pressure because exchange inflows are commonly interpreted as a proxy for potential intent to trade or distribute coins.
This doesn’t automatically translate into fresh buying demand. The article’s interpretation is more nuanced: the data suggests mid-sized holders are sending fewer coins to exchanges as Bitcoin trades near the low-$60,000 region. In other words, one category of sell-side pressure may be lighter, even as the market tests a major liquidity concentration near yearly lows.
For traders, the practical implication is that downside moves toward $59,000 could still occur if liquidation incentives outweigh spot supply—especially given the large reported concentration of leveraged longs. But if exchange inflows continue to cool, it may reduce the “fuel” available for follow-through selling after any initial flush.
What to watch next as levels converge
Right now, the market is balancing two competing forces: bearish technical structure and large reported liquidation concentrations on one side, versus cooling mid-sized exchange inflows that could limit how persistently selling pressure builds once the market moves into the yearly-low pocket.
Going forward, traders are likely to focus on whether BTC breaks decisively below the $59,000 area (confirming a liquidity-driven downside move) or instead snaps back quickly—consistent with oversold momentum conditions and the possibility of trapped leverage being cleared without a sustained trend extension. The next key signal will be whether exchange inflows remain subdued as price approaches and potentially revisits these liquidity levels.
Crypto World
Bitcoin Near $63K as Juneteenth Lift Coincides With ~40% Fed Hike Odds
Bitcoin pushed back above $63,000 on Friday as traders digested a mix of macro policy signals and renewed attention on US-Iran tensions. The bounce came after BTC weakened into eight-day lows and then stalled near week-to-date support levels, suggesting the market was still searching for direction rather than building fresh momentum.
Alongside calmer volatility in crypto, attention drifted to the Strait of Hormuz and the implications of a recently signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding—developments that market participants typically treat as a tail-risk driver for risk assets, including Bitcoin.
Key takeaways
- Bitcoin’s rebound above $63,000 lacked follow-through, with BTC still confined to tight intraday ranges after falling to eight-day lows.
- The Federal Reserve’s latest decision was interpreted as broadly hawkish, with CME Group data pricing in close to a 40% chance of a hike at the next FOMC meeting.
- US-Iran tensions remain a live macro concern, with reporting highlighting that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz depends on Iran’s permission.
- One trader framed the current period as potentially leading to a “black swan” event later in the bear-market cycle.
Bitcoin stalls after the Fed’s more hawkish tone
BTC/USD trade activity remained range-bound on lower time frames following a move down to eight-day lows, according to TradingView data referenced by market coverage. Rather than accelerating higher, the market consolidated—an early sign that buyers were not yet confident enough to press beyond recent resistance.
The shift back toward tighter trading conditions followed the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which was the first for new Fed chair Kevin Warsh. The Fed kept interest rates at current levels and, importantly, did not provide the kind of dovish cues traders had been looking for.
In the Fed’s post-meeting statement, Warsh emphasized that inflation remains above the committee’s 2% goal, noting that supply shocks have contributed to price increases in sectors such as energy. The statement also reiterated that the committee “will deliver price stability,” a message analysts interpreted as less accommodating than some market hopes.
Commentary from trading resource The Kobeissi Letter pointed to a change in how Fed communications may work going forward. The account argued Warsh’s approach was unusual compared with expectations that had him being more aligned with President Donald Trump’s calls for rate cuts, adding that the FOMC statement was also shortened and forward guidance appeared reduced.
In particular, the Kobeissi Letter highlighted a concern that communication could become less informative, arguing that this would increase uncertainty because fewer policy signals would be available to markets.
That uncertainty showed up in rate expectations. CME Group’s FedWatch Tool (as cited in the coverage) indicated markets were pricing in roughly a 40% probability of a rate hike at the next FOMC meeting in late July. In a market that often treats interest-rate direction as a key driver for liquidity and risk appetite, that pricing supports the idea that BTC’s recent weakness and hesitation may be more policy-linked than purely crypto-internal.
US-Iran developments keep geopolitical risk on the board
With US markets closed for the Juneteenth holiday, crypto remained more exposed to global headlines without the usual wall of liquidity from traditional markets. The renewed focus on the US-Iran conflict helped bring the Strait of Hormuz back into the discussion—specifically, whether transit through the narrow waterway will effectively remain controlled by Iran.
Earlier coverage noted that the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). However, Friday’s commentary suggested the agreement does not remove deeper strategic disagreements. In reporting cited by Kobeissi, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz cannot cross without Iran’s permission.
Kobeissi’s account clarified that while the MoU suggests transit through the Strait of Hormuz would be “free” for the duration of its 60-day term, it does not resolve the broader question of long-term control. The post further concluded that Iran appears to be preparing for longer-term control of Hormuz.
Geopolitical risk typically matters for Bitcoin through a macro channel: tensions can translate into energy price pressure, inflation concerns, and shifts in market risk appetite—each of which can affect the pricing of risk assets.
Supporting that macro linkage, WTI crude oil continued to trade around $75 per barrel after posting its lowest levels since early March, according to the coverage. Even without a dramatic jump in oil at the time, the market’s willingness to track Hormuz-related developments underscores how quickly conditions can change.
Traders look for a “black swan” later in this bear market
As near-term volatility cooled, some market participants began framing what comes next rather than reacting only to today’s price action. Rekt Capital, a trader and analyst cited in the article, suggested that Bitcoin’s more decisive test may not arrive immediately.
In a post on X, Rekt Capital told followers that “there tends to be a Black Swan event in the second half of Bitcoin Bear Markets,” presenting it as a pattern-based lesson rather than a specific forecast of timing or magnitude.
While such commentary cannot be treated as a data-driven prediction, it reflects a broader reality of crypto cycles: markets often experience delayed shocks rather than smooth, linear declines or rebounds. For traders, the practical takeaway is that a quiet patch—especially one following a macro-driven selloff—can sometimes be a pause before a more consequential move.
What to watch from here
Bitcoin’s current range behavior above $63,000 appears closely tied to Fed-driven uncertainty and geopolitical headlines. Traders will likely keep an eye on evolving rate pricing ahead of the late-July FOMC meeting, as well as further developments around Strait of Hormuz transit and oil-market signaling—two factors that can quickly reintroduce volatility if the narrative shifts.
Crypto World
Bitcoin Miners Pivot to AI as Tokenized RWAs Surge and Ripple Expands Africa Push
For years, Bitcoin miners were little more than leveraged bets on BTC prices. That’s changing fast. As mining margins tighten and demand for AI computing accelerates, the industry’s biggest players are discovering that access to power and data center infrastructure may be more valuable than hash rate.
That shift gained further validation this week as Nvidia reportedly prepared a $20 billion bond sale to finance the next phase of its AI expansion, reinforcing the multi-year investment cycle that Bitcoin miners are increasingly positioning themselves to serve.
Elsewhere, the tokenized real-world asset market continued to defy the broader crypto downturn, Ripple expanded its African payments push with an investment in Flutterwave and former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried failed to overturn his fraud conviction.
Nvidia’s $20 billion bond offering reinforces Bitcoin miner AI pivot
Nvidia wants to sell $20 billion-worth of bonds to finance the next phase of its AI expansion, reinforcing the growth trend that has prompted Bitcoin miners to pivot toward AI and data center infrastructure.
Bloomberg reported Monday that the chipmaker is pursuing a multi-part bond offering to fund AI-related investments and refinance existing debt. The longest-dated bonds are expected to offer considerably higher yields than comparable US Treasury securities.
The sustained AI buildout has created new opportunities for Bitcoin miners, many of which are repurposing their energy-intensive facilities and power infrastructure for high-performance computing and AI hosting as mining economics remain under pressure. Companies including HIVE Digital, Hut 8, CleanSpark and TeraWulf are increasingly positioning themselves as AI infrastructure providers.

Source: Cointelegraph
Tokenized RWAs defy crypto bear market
The tokenized real-world asset (RWA) market continues to grow despite broader crypto weakness, with the total value of onchain financial assets surpassing $43 billion — a 37% increase over the past six months, according to Token Terminal.
Tokenized funds make up the overwhelming majority of the RWA market, representing nearly 80% of all onchain financial assets, though commodities and tokenized stocks are gaining traction.
The sector’s momentum comes as major financial institutions forecast significant long-term growth. Standard Chartered expects tokenization to help drive decentralized finance toward a $2.7 trillion market capitalization by 2030, while Citigroup projects tokenized RWAs could reach $5.5 trillion over the same period.

Source: Token Terminal
Ripple invests in African payment company
Ripple has invested an undisclosed amount in Flutterwave, one of Africa’s fastest-growing remittance companies, in a deal that values the fintech startup at $3.3 billion.
The transaction will bring Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, Ripple Payments platform and XRP Ledger infrastructure to one of Africa’s largest payment providers, which operates across 35 countries, as blockchain-based remittances continue to gain traction.
The deal marks another step in Ripple’s push to expand its payments network across Africa, where demand for faster and lower-cost cross-border transfers is rapidly increasing. Last October, the company partnered with South Africa’s Absa Bank to provide institutional digital asset custody solutions, further strengthening its presence on the continent.

Source: Flutterwave
Sam Bankman-Fried loses appeal
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried failed to overturn his fraud conviction after a three-judge appeals panel in Manhattan upheld the verdict, finding that he received a fair trial.
“While he was publicly reassuring customers, investors and regulators that FTX customer funds were safe, he was simultaneously using FTX as his own personal piggy bank, spending customer funds on real estate, political contributions, and investments,” wrote Circuit Judge Barrington Parker.
Bankman-Fried was convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges tied to FTX’s collapse and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024. As Cointelegraph reported, he has also formally applied for a presidential pardon from US President Donald Trump, with the request appearing on the Pardon Attorney website in early June.

Source: Toby Cunningham
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Crypto World
Bitcoin Traders Eye New Price Lows But Warn Against Being Too Bearish
Bitcoin (BTC) is once again approaching its yearly low near $59,000 after a failed recovery attempt left bulls unable to reclaim key resistance levels. BTC traders are now anticipating new lows for 2026 as the price drifts back toward a major support zone.
However, exchange inflows from mid-sized investors across Binance and Coinbase recently dropped to their lowest levels since April 4, easing further selling pressure.
Liquidation data also shows more than $4 billion in leveraged positions concentrated near the $59,000 level, a setup that may lead to a downside liquidity sweep before a recovery rally towards the $68,000 range.
Bitcoin traders target liquidity pocket below $59,000
Bitcoin’s recovery attempt stalled before reaching the daily fair-value gap between $67,500 and $70,500. The sellers regained control near the 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages, which continue to act as overhead resistance.
The rejection pushed BTC below an ascending channel, confirming a bearish break of structure on the four-hour chart. The price is currently trading below the channel range, with internal liquidity support near $60,700 as the next area of interest, followed by the yearly low at $59,000.

BTC/USD, four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView
The liquidation data adds weight to that zone. Around $4 billion in cumulative leveraged long positions is concentrated near $59,000. A move into that area could trigger forced selling and flush out late long positions. Beyond that level, the next major liquidity concentration is near $68,000, where more than $4.75 billion in cumulative positions are clustered.
The momentum conditions are also approaching an extreme. The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering near oversold territory. Another push toward yearly lows would likely drive the indicator below 30, a level that may precede a sharp relief bounce after liquidations.
Crypto analyst Killa said Bitcoin could still front-run the liquidity pool below $60,000 rather than fully sweeping it. The trader argued that markets often move in the opposite direction of levels that attract widespread attention, similar to how Bitcoin front-ran liquidity above $140,000 in October 2025.
BTC trader LP also warned against becoming “too bearish here” in the short term, pointing to a potential bottom forming toward late June.

BTC/USD, one-day chart analysis by LP. Source: X
Related: Bitcoin’s deeply discounted versus AI-stocks, but hawkish Fed risk lingers: Bitwise
BTC exchange inflows continue to decline
According to CryptoQuant analyst Amr Taha, inflows from mid-sized Bitcoin investors declined simultaneously across Binance, Coinbase, and Coinbase Prime on June 19. Binance recorded roughly 3,500 BTC in inflows, Coinbase nearly 3,000 BTC, and Coinbase Prime about 1,700 BTC, the lowest readings since April 4.

BTC exchange inflow structure by mid-size investors. Source: CryptoQuant
Exchange inflows are commonly tracked as a measure of potential selling intent. Lower deposits mean fewer coins are being positioned for immediate sale. This indicates one source of near-term sell pressure has eased.
The trend does not signal new demand on its own. It shows that mid-sized holders are reducing transfers to trading venues as Bitcoin trades near $62,000. For now, the flow data points to lighter exchange-side pressure even as price tests a major liquidity concentration near yearly lows.
Related: Bitcoin tipped for Q3 ‘macro bottom’ near $50K as major liquidity grab looms
Crypto World
CME Group to Sue CFTC Over Perpetual Futures Approval, Citing Dodd-Frank Swaps Definition

CME Group plans to sue the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over the agency's approval of crypto perpetual futures, the world's largest derivatives exchange operator announced Wednesday evening on CNBC. Outgoing Chief Executive Terrence Duffy said the case would be filed as soon as Thursday and… Read the full story at The Defiant
Crypto World
Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH): Which Will Bottom First?
At the start of June, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization tumbled to their lowest levels in years. However, many analysts believe the cycle bottoms have not occurred yet.
The big question now appears to be whether Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) will find its floor first, and here’s the take of one popular market observer.
Is ETH First in Line?
X user Ted argued that the second-biggest cryptocurrency is more likely to bottom before the industry’s undisputed leader. He claimed that most of the downside liquidity has been taken out, projecting a plunge to $1,300-$1,400.
“But after that, upside liquidity will start to look more interesting,” he added.
Shortly after, Ted noted ETH’s drop below the critical $1,700 mark and warned that the asset could post a further 5-6% decline if it doesn’t reclaim this level.
There are plenty of other analysts who believe the worst for Ethereum is ahead. Ali Martinez said the asset is breaking down from its channel and is trading below the 200-hour SMA. That said, he expects a drop toward $1,580.
Niels also claimed that ETH hasn’t bottomed for this cycle, predicting a crash to as low as $1,200 sometime this year. At the same time, they see the current price level as a great buying opportunity.
How About BTC?
Earlier in June, the primary cryptocurrency plummeted to nearly $59,000 for the first time since late 2024. Ted, like many other industry participants, thinks this was not the bottom.
He spotted a massive liquidity cluster around $50,000-$60,000, describing it as the same zone with large BTC buy orders on exchanges. With that in mind, Ted said that the price will likely sink to $50K “with a possible wick.”
X users bee and Crypto Lens have also made bearish forecasts. The former opined that BTC is “on the verge of the final flush,” expecting a drop to $51,000-$52,000, while the latter envisioned a downturn to $43,000 by August this year.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Certain factors, such as the declining amount of BTC held on exchanges, suggest a rebound is also possible. As CryptoPotato reported, the figure recently dipped to a six-year low, meaning that investors have abandoned centralized platforms in favor of self-custody, thereby reducing immediate selling pressure.
Meanwhile, whales scooped up more than 30,000 BTC in a week: a strong signal that they are positioning for the next rally and something that could encourage retail investors to jump on the bandwagon, too.
The post Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH): Which Will Bottom First? appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Crypto World
Ethereum’s Biggest Risk May Be a Funding Crunch, Former EF Contributor Warns
Ethereum may be heading toward a funding crisis that could begin to emerge within the next three to nine months, according to former Ethereum Foundation contributor Trent Van Epps.
In a recent article on X, Van Epps, who recently ended his five-year stint at EF, said the risk is not simply the result of a temporary funding gap but originates from deeper structural changes taking place across the ecosystem.
Funding Crunch
Van Epps spoke about EF’s long-standing philosophy of “Subtraction,” a strategy that aims to gradually reduce the Foundation’s influence and encourage the broader Ethereum community to take on a larger role in supporting the network.
While he said the approach has been successful in conveying that the EF does not want to remain Ethereum’s sole center of power, he believes it has been less effective at ensuring other institutions step in to fill the gaps left behind.
According to Van Epps, the Ethereum Foundation still occupies a unique position within the ecosystem due to factors such as its reputation, historical role in leading the protocol, connection to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, ownership of major communication channels and trademarks, as well as its long-standing support of core developers and researchers.
However, he added that one of the Foundation’s most important resources, its treasury, is becoming increasingly constrained.
The EF has spent much of its ETH holdings over the last decade helping bootstrap Ethereum’s growth and has already begun reducing spending to preserve remaining funds. He highlighted the Foundation’s treasury plan announced in June 2025, which outlined a gradual reduction in annual spending from 15% to a 5% endowment-style level by 2030.
Van Epps also pointed to the expiration of Ethereum’s Client Incentive Program (CIP) in April 2026. The four-year initiative provided funding to client teams through staking rewards, and no replacement program has been announced so far.
Shrinking Resources
Based on conversations across Ethereum’s core development community, he said these developments have created a real risk that funding pressures could start building over the coming months. He estimated that maintaining Ethereum’s current development capacity requires roughly $30 million per year to support client teams, researchers, and coordination efforts across the ecosystem.
Without stable funding, Van Epps warned that Ethereum could lose contributors who have accumulated years of critical expertise, which makes it harder to tackle major challenges such as scaling the network and preparing for future threats like quantum computing. According to the former contributor, the consequences of underinvestment may not be immediately visible but could become apparent within the next 12 to 18 months, when reversing the damage would be significantly more difficult and expensive.
Van Epps believes the Ethereum Foundation is unlikely to remain the network’s primary steward over the next decade, as he echoed recent comments from Vitalik Buterin that the organization was never intended to serve as Ethereum’s permanent caretaker. He called for new institutions and sustainable funding mechanisms capable of supporting Ethereum’s long-term development and maintaining the shared resources the ecosystem depends on.
The post Ethereum’s Biggest Risk May Be a Funding Crunch, Former EF Contributor Warns appeared first on CryptoPotato.
Crypto World
Who Needs Salary? X’s Nikita Bier Is Poaching Meta Talent With Better Snacks
Nikita Bier, head of product at X, targeted Meta workers with a public recruitment pitch this week. He promised to match or beat any corporate snack budget the company could offer.
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth admitted on an internal call that employee morale is near its worst ever. The May 2026 layoffs cut 8,000 jobs. Meta also forced roughly 7,000 more workers into AI units, giving them little say in the transition.
X Sees an Opening in Meta’s Morale Problem
Bier announced open roles for web and data engineers and data scientists. He aimed the message directly at workers he described as “neglected.”
His pitch was a direct dig at Meta’s crisis response. Rather than leading with salary, he zeroed in on the snack budget. That was the same perk Meta had scrambled to expand after morale collapsed. He pledged X would match or exceed whatever Meta could offer.
Workers on internal forums described Meta’s culture as “dead and depressing.” The core issue runs deeper than office perks, however. Applied AI, a division formed in March, absorbed around 6,500 engineers and product managers with little input from those transferred. Some employees compared it to a labor camp.
Meanwhile, 2026 tech layoff odds on prediction market Polymarket sit at 67%, with Meta’s situation among the factors traders cite. The Meta job cuts wiped out roughly 10% of its workforce in a single round.
Bier is no stranger to weighing in on Meta. He previously defended Mark Zuckerberg after backlash over a whistleblower documentary trailer. That move showed a pattern of engaging publicly with debates around Meta’s leadership and culture.
The post Who Needs Salary? X’s Nikita Bier Is Poaching Meta Talent With Better Snacks appeared first on BeInCrypto.
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