Key Takeaways

• Stellantis maintains a 9.5% ownership position in Factorial Energy, a solid-state battery developer based in the United States, with the stake valued at approximately $126 million
• The investment, distributed between Stellantis Ventures and Stellantis Europe, represents about 8.67 million shares in the startup
• Laboratory testing of Factorial’s battery technology demonstrated 375 Wh/kg energy density with charging times of approximately 18 minutes from 15% to 80%
• Real-world road testing has commenced using Factorial’s FEST battery cells installed in a prototype Dodge Charger Daytona vehicle
• Shares of STLAM have plummeted almost 43% year-to-date in 2026, with a recent 3.7% decline following negative news from BMW

An SEC disclosure has revealed that Stellantis maintains a 9.5% ownership stake in Factorial Energy, with the position currently worth approximately $126 million based on present valuations. The investment is distributed across both Stellantis Europe and Stellantis Ventures entities.

Stellantis N.V., STLA

The automaker’s initial capital commitment to Factorial dates back to 2021, when Stellantis injected €75 million (approximately $86 million) into the battery technology company. This financial commitment has now transformed into an equity stake, positioning the automotive giant as a significant stakeholder in the emerging technology.

Jon Nelson, who leads Stellantis Financial Services as CEO, has secured a board seat at Factorial, transforming what began as a purely financial transaction into a strategic operational partnership.

The regulatory filing further indicated that Stellantis remains open to expanding its investment in Factorial, characterizing the company as representing a “compelling investment opportunity.”

Factorial has recently launched road testing of its solid-state battery technology in a development version of the Dodge Charger Daytona. This milestone represents the technology’s first deployment in actual driving scenarios beyond controlled laboratory settings.

During lab evaluations, Factorial’s battery cells achieved an energy density measurement of 375 Wh/kg. The cells also demonstrated the capability to charge from 15% to 80% capacity in about 18 minutes — performance metrics that would constitute a significant advancement over existing lithium-ion battery technology if achievable at commercial scale.

Solid-state battery technology offers reduced weight compared to traditional lithium-ion battery packs while promising enhanced driving range, accelerated charging capabilities, superior safety characteristics, and potentially reduced lifecycle costs. The primary obstacle remains manufacturing scalability, a challenge the automotive sector has yet to overcome.

Strategic Rationale Behind Stellantis’ Investment

For Stellantis, the partnership with Factorial represents a component of its comprehensive strategy to maintain competitive positioning in the electric vehicle technology landscape. Industry experts widely regard solid-state batteries as the next transformative advancement in energy storage, making early strategic alliances potentially critical when the technology reaches commercial viability.

The automaker’s approach prioritizes strategic involvement with a promising technology developer rather than attempting full ownership, particularly given Factorial’s demonstrated laboratory achievements and progression toward practical validation.

Share Price Challenges

While the Factorial development offers positive technological prospects for investors to consider, Stellantis shares have experienced significant headwinds throughout 2026. STLAM has declined nearly 43% since the beginning of January.

The latest downturn occurred this week, with shares dropping 3.7%. This decline coincided with a profit warning issued by BMW, which triggered broader selloffs across European automotive stocks.

Stellantis continues to face challenging conditions across its primary geographic markets, with the BMW announcement intensifying existing sector-wide pressures.

The SEC documentation, which officially discloses the Factorial ownership position, was filed on June 19, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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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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