TLDR

• Bitcoin traded near $61,100 after a 10% weekly decline as ETF outflows extended.
• Wintermute linked the selloff to US institutional exits rather than panic-driven retail selling.
• Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their longest outflow streak, totaling nearly $2.97 billion by May 30.
• Changpeng Zhao urged calm, stating Bitcoin “won’t be dead for too long.”
• On-chain data showed small wallets increased holdings while large holders reduced exposure.

Bitcoin traded near $61,100 on June 9 after a weekly drop of about 10%, while ETF outflows and whale selling persisted. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao urged calm as trading firm Wintermute linked the decline to US institutional flows. On-chain data from Santiment showed retail buyers adding exposure as larger wallets reduced holdings.

Bitcoin Faces ETF Outflows and Institutional Selling

Bitcoin extended losses as US spot ETFs recorded their longest outflow streak on record through late May. Wintermute estimated cumulative outflows near $2.97 billion by May 30, while fresh inflows remained absent. The firm stated, “With prior support gone, there’s not much underneath to lean on,” and added that flows now set direction.

Wintermute attributed the decline to US institutions unwinding positions built weeks earlier, not panic selling. Analysts said Bitcoin never formed strong support between $50,000 and $59,000 during the 2024 rally. As a result, traders lack clear technical levels and rely on capital movement to guide price action.

Bitcoin remains more than 50% below its October 2025 peak above $126,000. MicroStrategy sold 32 BTC, marking its first disposal since 2022, though it called the sale immaterial. Still, the transaction drew attention as ETF outflows persisted and liquidity conditions tightened.

Macro data reinforced the pressure as US payrolls increased by 172,000 in May. That figure exceeded expectations near 80,000, while April payrolls were revised up to 179,000. Strong labor data lifted yields and reduced near-term expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.

CZ Urges Calm as Whales Reduce Holdings

Changpeng Zhao addressed the decline after stepping back from Binance leadership in 2023. He wrote, “Bitcoin won’t be ‘dead’ for too long. Don’t panic,” framing the pullback as temporary. His message arrived as ETF outflows extended and sentiment weakened across derivatives markets.

Santiment reported a widening split between small and large holders over two weeks. Wallets holding under 0.01 BTC increased balances by 0.36%, while wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC reduced holdings by 0.20%. The firm said durable bottoms often follow retail capitulation rather than steady retail buying.

Santiment added, “That widespread surrender simply isn’t showing up yet,” describing current behavior. Analysts stated markets often move against retail expectations and align with whale positioning. As whales trimmed exposure, retail accumulation continued without coordinated large-wallet support.

Some long-term holders began accumulating at current levels, citing multi-year positioning strategies. However, blockchain data has not shown aggressive whale accumulation that marked prior cycle lows. ETF flow trends and wallet distribution metrics remain the most recent indicators shaping Bitcoin’s short-term direction.

Bitcoin traders have positioned for a Federal Reserve pause next week, with CME FedWatch data showing a 98.2% probability that policymakers will leave interest rates unchanged at the June 16-17 meeting.

According to CME FedWatch data, markets are assigning only a 1.8% chance of a rate cut and no meaningful probability of a rate increase, leaving investors focused less on the decision itself and more on what Federal Reserve officials signal about the path ahead.

Attention has increasingly turned to the first Federal Open Market Committee meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, who will oversee both the rate announcement and the release of updated economic projections.

Alongside the policy statement, officials will publish a revised Summary of Economic Projections and the closely watched dot plot, which outlines where policymakers expect interest rates to move in the coming years.

The cautious positioning has coincided with weakness across digital assets. Crypto market data shows total market capitalization falling 2.47% over the past 24 hours to roughly $2.13 trillion, while Bitcoin (BTC) has also retreated as traders reduce risk exposure before the Fed decision.

Economists expect rates to stay unchanged through 2026

Fresh forecasts from Wall Street suggest policymakers may remain on hold for far longer than markets expected earlier this year.

According to a Reuters survey conducted between June 4 and June 9, 72 of 102 economists expect the federal funds rate to remain within the current 3.50% to 3.75% range through the end of 2026. Reuters noted that this represents the strongest consensus so far this year against additional rate cuts.

Several factors have contributed to that outlook. Reuters reported that stronger-than-expected economic data and ongoing inflation concerns have reduced expectations that the central bank will ease policy in the coming months.

Rate markets have moved in a similar direction. As reported by crypto.news, futures traders are now pricing the possibility of at least one rate increase by late 2026 rather than anticipating renewed cuts.

Additional support for the higher-rate outlook has come from major financial institutions. According to a crypto.news report, BNP Paribas recently revised its forecast and now expects the Federal Reserve to begin raising rates in December 2026. The French bank projects three increases that would effectively reverse the three rate cuts delivered during 2025.

Markets are watching the Fed’s projections and tone

Although traders overwhelmingly expect no change in borrowing costs next week, the accompanying forecasts could have a larger impact on financial markets.

Current Federal Reserve data places the effective federal funds rate near 3.62%, within the target range of 3.50% to 3.75%. Any adjustments to inflation forecasts, growth expectations, or the dot plot could influence expectations for 2027 and beyond.

Inflation remains a key variable heading into the meeting. Market commentary cited in the original report noted expectations for U.S. inflation around 4.2%, keeping investors attentive to how Fed officials assess price pressures and future policy risks.

Political pressure has also remained part of the discussion. As crypto.news previously reported, President Donald Trump has continued to advocate for lower interest rates, while Warsh has stated that monetary policy decisions will remain independent of political influence.

For Bitcoin traders, a rate hold appears largely priced in. Instead, market participants are preparing for signals from Warsh’s press conference and the Fed’s updated projections, which could shape expectations for liquidity conditions and risk assets during the second half of the year.

The Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division has referred Kalshi, the prediction-market platform, to state Attorneys General and other regulators after Kalshi declined to take part in a voluntary NAD review of its social media advertising. The move signals renewed regulatory attention on how Kalshi markets itself and whether influencer-promoted content adheres to fair disclosure standards under FTC endorsement guidelines.

In a statement published on Monday, NAD said it will forward the matter to appropriate regulatory authorities for possible enforcement action. The inquiry focused on whether material connections between Kalshi and influencers or affiliates were clearly disclosed in social media promotions and whether Kalshi took adequate steps to comply with advertising rules.

Kalshi did not participate in NAD’s voluntary review, the BBB explained, and as a result the agency will notify the social platforms where Kalshi ads appeared. Separately, Media Matters for America has highlighted Kalshi’s marketing on TikTok and Instagram that framed prediction trading as a “side hustle.”

Kalshi’s rapid growth has been propelled in large part by social-media marketing, a strategy that has propelled user acquisition and trading activity tied to real-world events. A Kalshi spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company is on track for a $1.5 billion annualized revenue run rate, a momentum that helped secure a $1 billion funding round and a valuation around $22 billion.

Against this backdrop, Kalshi’s advertising practices sit within a broader regulatory context. There is an ongoing dispute between state regulators and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over the legality and oversight of event contracts, and the industry has also faced insider-trading allegations. In a May report, Bernstein researchers argued that the sector is entering an “institutional” era, citing a Kalshi block trade as evidence of improving liquidity and more efficient price discovery. The analysts noted that block trading and bespoke contracts could broaden participation from institutions seeking targeted exposure to event risk.

Kalshi operates as a centralized prediction market, a model that sits in contrast to decentralized rivals. The platform has drawn attention not only for its growth but also for regulatory and legal questions that could shape how such markets evolve. Related coverage has highlighted ongoing state-level actions in Minnesota and Rhode Island, as well as regulatory considerations surrounding the CFTC’s approach to prediction-market activities. For readers tracking the broader regulatory arc, see the report outlining Kalshi and related developments in state actions and enforcement discussions.

Key takeaways

• NAD has referred Kalshi to state Attorneys General and other regulators for possible enforcement action after Kalshi declined to participate in the NAD review of its social-media advertising.
• The inquiry scrutinized whether Kalshi clearly disclosed paid relationships in influencer promotions and whether it complied with FTC endorsement guidelines.
• Kalshi’s growth has been accelerated by social-media marketing, with Bloomberg citing a path to a $1.5 billion annualized revenue run rate and a $22 billion valuation following a $1 billion funding round.
• The regulatory environment for prediction markets remains unsettled, with ongoing CFTC-state regulator tensions and insider-trading concerns shaping how platforms operate and market themselves.
• Analysts from Bernstein argue the sector is maturing into an institutional era, with evidence that improved liquidity and bespoke contracts could attract more institutional participants.

Regulatory scrutiny and market momentum collide

Kalshi’s situation underscores a central tension in the fast-growing prediction-market segment: rapid user growth and investor enthusiasm versus a regulatory perimeter that is still taking shape. NAD’s referral to state authorities reflects a willingness to escalate potential enforcement actions if advertising disclosures are found wanting. The agency’s move also signals to advertisers and platforms that self-regulation may not be sufficient to satisfy compliance expectations as the market scales.

From a market perspective, Kalshi’s funding-driven expansion—bolstered by a recent round that attracted significant capital and catalyzed a high enterprise value—adds urgency to how the platform balances growth with governance. While the company has pursued aggressive marketing to broaden its user base, regulators are asking whether those campaigns adequately disclose relationships with influencers and whether endorsements comply with established guidelines.

Industry observers note that the broader prediction-market landscape is undergoing a maturation phase. A Bernstein May report characterized the sector as entering an institutional era, pointing to a Kalshi block trade as an illustration of deeper liquidity and more precise price discovery. The implication is that institutional investors could increasingly demand structured products, bespoke contracts, and transparent trading venues—provided the regulatory framework can accommodate such evolution.

Beyond regulatory headlines, Kalshi’s positioning within the ecosystem remains notable. The platform sits alongside decentralized competitors in a crowded space, with recent disclosures suggesting ongoing strategic moves to enhance credibility and resilience in the face of scrutiny. In related coverage, analysts highlighted Kalshi’s collaboration with market terms and its efforts to curb malpractice through policy and tools, a topic that has also been linked to similar actions by Polymarket in response to insider trading concerns.

For readers watching the regulatory arc, the next steps are clear: regulators will likely outline whether Kalshi’s advertising practices meet statutory disclosure requirements, while Kalshi and its peers continue to navigate questions of liquidity, product design, and institutional access. The evolving stance of state authorities, the CFTC, and other watchdogs will shape how prediction markets evolve—from the structure of endorsed promotions to the types of contracts available and the participants that can access them.

What happens next remains uncertain: any enforcement actions, consent orders, or policy adjustments could recalibrate incentives for marketers, influencers, and operators in the space. Investors and users should monitor regulatory developments closely, as well as Kalshi’s responses to scrutiny and how the platform adapts its advertising and governance frameworks in the months ahead.

A Newcastle, Washington, man has received five years in prison for helping move fraud proceeds through bank accounts and crypto exchanges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Geoffrey K. Auyeung pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors said nearly $100 million passed through accounts he opened and linked to cryptocurrency platforms.

Auyeung sentenced in Seattle federal court

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour sentenced Auyeung in Seattle federal court. The judge said the sentence followed “the scope and magnitude of this fraud.” Auyeung was arrested in August 2024 and pleaded guilty last February.

According to prosecutors, he continued communicating with coconspirators after his indictment and arrest. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said Auyeung helped fraudsters take investor funds. “Mr. Auyeung facilitated a fraud, developed by others,” Floyd said in a statement.

Floyd said victims believed they were sending money to legitimate escrow accounts. He also said Auyeung later routed illicit fees through his wife’s bank accounts. One victim traveled from the United Kingdom to attend the sentencing hearing. The victim told Auyeung, “You caused a lot of pain.”

Oil and gas scheme used bank and crypto accounts

Court records said Auyeung created at least nine entities to receive investor funds. The entities used names tied to oil, gas, logistics, escrow, and energy services. From August 2022 through August 2024, coconspirators told victims they were investing in oil storage. Prosecutors said the storage sites involved Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Houston.

Victims were told they could profit by renting tank storage to others. After payments reached Auyeung-controlled accounts, funds moved to other accounts, offshore destinations, or crypto exchanges.

Prosecutors said Auyeung opened at least 81 bank accounts across 24 financial institutions. He also opened 19 accounts across eight cryptocurrency exchanges. Between June 2022 and July 2024, those accounts received $97.1 million in third-party deposits. The government said all deposits in the accounts represented fraud proceeds.

Bitcoin and stablecoin transfers moved proceeds

Authorities said Auyeung used exchanges including Gemini, BitStamp, and Coinbase to buy crypto. The purchases included Bitcoin, Tether, USD Coin, and Ethereum. Much of the crypto later moved to Binance accounts, according to court records. Prosecutors said individuals in Nigeria and Russia controlled those Binance accounts.

In sentencing papers, prosecutors said Auyeung helped hide proceeds from financial institutions and law enforcement. They said he used false transaction descriptions and fictitious supporting documents.

Prosecutors also said he moved victim funds among accounts with no business purpose. They said he rapidly converted fiat funds into crypto and sent assets to coconspirator-controlled addresses. Auyeung received at least $4,078,348 in commission payments, according to prosecutors. They said he demanded higher commissions as he became more aware of the fraud.

Restitution and forfeiture remain pending

The court referred the restitution calculation to a magistrate judge. Prosecutors asked for $24,707,031 in restitution for victims. Auyeung will forfeit about $2.3 million seized from bank accounts and his home. 

Additionally, he will forfeit an Audi SQ8, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He agreed not to contest the civil forfeiture of about $7.1 million seized from crypto wallets. He also agreed to surrender about $300,000 from bank accounts toward restitution.

Judge Coughenour praised prosecutors’ efforts to recover funds for victims. “The conduct was superb,” the judge said during sentencing. Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation handled the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jehiel I. Baer and Yunah Chung prosecuted the matter.

Bitcoin’s latest price action may illuminate something bigger than a routine risk-off move: it underscores how liquidity conditions and macro forces influence the crypto market ahead of traditional assets. According to Bitwise, BTC often serves as a “canary in the macro coal mine,” reacting to shifts in liquidity and financial conditions before equities do. With stock indices under pressure and rate expectations shifting, Bitcoin’s slide fits a broader narrative about how crypto assets are pricing in the evolving liquidity backdrop.

The latest market snapshot shows BTC and Ether at the low end of their cycles, with BTC at around the $58,000 mark and Ether near $1,507, as global risk assets came under renewed strain. The Nasdaq endured its sharpest daily decline in months, while South Korea’s KOSPI triggered a temporary trading halt after a semiconductor-led sell-off. In the background, stronger-than-expected US labor data dampened expectations for rapid Federal Reserve easing, keeping the 10-year US Treasury yield anchored around the mid-4% range and complicating the path for growth-sensitive assets. Bitwise notes that the yield held near 4.53% after a peak near 4.68% last month, signaling that higher-for-longer rate expectations remain a key driver of market mood.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin and Ethereum touched cycle lows of about $58,000 and $1,507 as broad risk assets faced renewed pressure.
• BTC is described as a macro canary, often weakening ahead of equities when liquidity tightens, signaling a broader risk-off adjustment in markets.
• On-chain indicators show a possible supply of buying power on the sidelines: the Stablecoin Supply Ratio (SSR) RSI sits near an oversold reading of 13, implying substantial stablecoins relative to Bitcoin value.
• Exchange reserves for major stablecoins remain elevated, near $72 billion (USDT ~ $57.7B and USDC ~ $12B), suggesting dry powder even as BTC trades near the lower end of recent ranges.
• The overall liquidity backdrop remains mixed: global M2 liquidity sits around $122.6 trillion, hinting at an ongoing tension between expanded liquidity and tighter risk conditions.

Bitcoin as a macro signal and the liquidity puzzle

Bitwise’s analysis frames Bitcoin as a reliable early indicator of shifts in the macro regime. When liquidity tightens, BTC tends to weaken ahead of equities, a pattern that has shown up again as the market digests stronger U.S. labor news and higher-for-longer rate expectations. The implication for traders is not a binary punt on crypto weakness, but a more nuanced read on how liquidity cycles shape risk appetite across asset classes. As Bitwise notes, BTC’s liquidity-driven movement contrasts with traditional markets that move more gradually, given their hours-long trading cycles and broader asset bases. This dynamic suggests that Bitcoin could be pricing in a slower, more protracted adjustment if liquidity conditions remain constrained, even if equities later stabilize.

Linked to this view is the interaction between on-chain signals and macro data. The observed price action sits within a broader context of rising global liquidity in another sense—the on-chain metrics show a potential cushion for buying activity that could re-enter the market when liquidity loosens. If Bitcoin historically weakens in advance of risk assets but is supported by a backstop of stablecoins ready to deploy, traders may watch for signs of renewed appetite as policy and liquidity evolve. The question now is whether the current balance between on-chain liquidity signals and macro constraints marks a temporary pause or the onset of a longer adjustment phase.

Stablecoin liquidity signals and what they imply

On-chain analytics provide a contrasting lens to price moves. Independent analyst Maartunn highlighted the Stablecoin Supply Ratio (SSR) RSI, which has slipped to an oversold reading of 13. The SSR compares Bitcoin’s market capitalization to the market value of major stablecoins, such as Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. A lower SSR RSI indicates a larger stablecoin balance relative to BTC’s price, implying substantial buying power waiting on the sidelines. Historically, similar SSR RSI readings have tended to accompany accumulation phases, followed by periods of stronger price performance once liquidity returns to the market.

That on-chain signal sits alongside another liquidity barometer: exchange reserves. Collectively, the major stablecoins on exchanges total around $72 billion, with roughly $57.7 billion in USDT and about $12 billion in USDC. While this total has eased from late-2025 peaks above $80 billion, it remains well above historical norms, indicating a sizable pool of liquidity that could be deployed if price action turns favorable. In practice, this “dry powder” can give market participants confidence that there is material capacity to support a rebound should macro conditions permit.

Taken together, these metrics offer a more nuanced view of a market that has already repriced significantly. The SSR RSI’s oversold reading hints at potential buying pressure building beneath the surface, while elevated stablecoin reserves suggest the capacity for a rapid liquidity re-entry if risk appetite improves. The key question for traders is not whether BTC will continue to drift lower in a risk-off regime, but at what point on the scale the liquidity backdrop shifts enough to spark renewed interest from buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines.

Global liquidity backdrop and the path forward

Beyond crypto-specific dynamics, the broader macro backdrop remains a mixture of expansion and constraint. Global M2 liquidity stands around $122.6 trillion, a figure that has trended upward over the past year. The tension between expanding liquidity and a higher-for-longer rate environment creates a complex interplay for crypto assets: liquidity expansion tends to support risk-taking during disinflationary periods, while persistent rate yields and liquidity constraints can cap upside for sensitive assets like Bitcoin and equities. The divergence between on-chain signals and macro metrics suggests that BTC’s next move could hinge on a shift in policy expectations or a late-cycle improvement in liquidity conditions rather than a straightforward reaction to price movements alone.

For market participants, the current configuration means watching two closely related channels: how the macro cycle evolves in terms of policy stance and liquidity, and how on-chain indicators respond to that evolution. If SSR RSI readings begin to climb and exchange reserves remain robust or increase further, complacency could give way to a fresh round of volatility as traders position for an eventual liquidity upturn. Conversely, if macro data continues to push yields higher and liquidity remains tight, Bitcoin may remain in a prolonged drift as risk assets absorb the new rate paradigm.

What investors should watch next

As the market digests recent data and the liquidity narrative evolves, several watchpoints emerge. First, the path of US monetary policy and expectations for rate cuts or further tightening will be a primary driver of risk sentiment. Second, on-chain signals such as the SSR RSI and stablecoin reserve levels will continue to offer early hints about where demand could re-emerge. Third, the performance of major risk assets—especially the Nasdaq and tech equities—will test whether BTC’s macro-caninara role remains valid or if equities find a bottom that reduces BTC’s sensitivity to liquidity shifts.

In the near term, investors should consider how new liquidity enters the market. A rebound in risk appetite could materialize if stablecoins remain available and if on-chain liquidity signals align with a broader improvement in macro conditions. On the other hand, persistent rate persistence or liquidity constraints could keep Bitcoin in a cautious trading range until there is clearer evidence of a policy shift or a sustained improvement in macro fundamentals.

As Bitwise frames it, Bitcoin’s behavior is a telling barometer, not a standalone predictor. Its price path in coming weeks will likely reflect a confluence of liquidity dynamics, macro data, and the readiness of market participants to deploy capital from stablecoin reserves back into risk assets.

The story remains dynamic, and readers should stay tuned for any shifts in liquidity signals, on-chain metrics, or macro developments that could tilt the balance toward renewed risk-taking or a deeper risk-off stance.

OKX is rolling out expiry futures tied to the Magnificent 7, SPY, QQQ and major commodity benchmarks for European retail customers.

In a Tuesday release shared with Cointelegraph, OKX said the new X-Perps markets allow users to trade futures linked to individual Magnificent 7 stocks, alongside index-linked contracts based on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 via SPY and QQQ.

The products also provide exposure to gold, silver and oil with up to 10x leverage, using the same margin pool as customers’ crypto holdings.

OKX defines its X-Perps lineup as a regulated derivatives product that combines leveraged trading with a funding rate mechanism designed to track underlying spot prices. It launched in April with crypto-linked contracts including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL) and XRP.

Crypto exchanges are increasingly converging equities and derivatives trading into single retail platforms in Europe, where regulatory overlap between the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) and the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework is reshaping how traditional and digital asset exposure is packaged for retail investors.

OKX Europe launched X-Perps. Source: OKX

Crypto exchanges race to bring stock derivatives onshore

The addition of contracts linked to the Magnificent 7, a nickname for seven of the largest US tech companies, comes as exchanges increasingly package traditional financial assets into crypto-native trading products.

Kraken rolled out regulated tokenized equity perpetual futures for non-US clients in February, including instruments tied to the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Magnificent 7 and gold, built on its xStocks framework.

Coinbase followed in March, launching stock perpetual futures for non-US users via Coinbase Advanced and Coinbase International Exchange with crypto-settled margin.

Binance has also expanded into equities-linked products, rolling out commission-free trading for US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds for non-US users earlier in June.

Related: France’s AMF regulator sets June 30 deadline for MiCA licensing

OKX’s bet is that X-Perps bring that equity derivatives functionality for European retail in a single, regulated account, rather than forcing traders to juggle a broker regulated under MiFID II for stocks and an offshore crypto exchange for derivatives trading.

Erald Ghoos, chief executive of OKX Europe, told Cointelegraph that X-Perps volumes in Europe have risen more than 447% since May 1 and are “predominantly” being driven by new clients who previously traded US equity-linked derivatives on offshore or unlicensed platforms.

Regulators weigh rules for crypto-linked derivatives

The growth of stock-linked products on crypto platforms comes as European regulators examine how existing securities and derivatives rules apply to crypto-linked investment products.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) warned in February that leveraged crypto-linked derivatives may fall under existing EU CFD rules, which impose limits on leverage, margin close-out protections and risk warnings.

European regulators are also examining how investor protection rules apply to perpetual derivatives and tokenized stock products ahead of the EU’s full MiCA framework implementation on July 1, 2026.

Crypto asset service providers that fail to obtain authorization will be required to stop serving EU clients.

Magazine: Guide to the top and emerging global crypto hubs — Mid-2026