A total of nine companies have formed a consortium pledging a combined $15 million over three years to support Bitcoin BTC$65,001.89 security research and open-source development.

Companies in the newly formed Bitcoin Security Consortium include major crypto market participants including BlackRock, Coinbase, Strategy, Anchorage Digital, ARK Invest, Block, Blockstream, Fidelity Digital Assets and Galaxy.

The group will focus partly on preparing Bitcoin for advances in quantum computing and will publish material tracking the state of Bitcoin security work for investors and the public.

The $15 million will not be held or allocated by the consortium, but instead member will choose which developers, researchers or organizations it funds. The group said it will not direct Bitcoin development or take positions on proposed protocol changes.

“Bitcoin Core developers do incredibly important work,” BlackRock digital assets head Robert Mitchnick said, adding that the group would make additional funding available for Bitcoin’s long-term security.

The announcement did not disclose individual contributions, initial recipients or how much of the funding represents new commitments.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy announced the launch of the Bitcoin Security Consortium, a group of financial institutions and Bitcoin companies supporting the long-term quantum security of the Bitcoin network.

The consortium pledged an aggregate $15 million over the next three years to support developers securing the Bitcoin network against the threat of a quantum computing breakthrough, Strategy announced in a Thursday press release.

Other founding members include Anchorage Digital, ARK Invest, BlackRock, Block, Blockstream, Coinbase, Fidelity Digital Assets and Galaxy. The consortium’s day-to-day work will be coordinated by Mike Schmidt, who serves in a volunteer capacity and is the executive director of Brink, a non-profit that supports Bitcoin open-source developers.

On Wednesday, Galaxy Digital pledged up to $5 million in grants for developers working on Bitcoin’s quantum security and elected a council of quantum-advisory experts to research quantum-resistant migration solutions. 

Bitcoin’s quantum security is a growing concern in the community, though the timeline of a quantum breakthrough remains hotly debated. In November 2025, Blockstream CEO Adam Back said that Bitcoin faces no meaningful quantum threat for at least the next 20 to 40 years. 

In contrast, an April report from investment manager Bernstein said that Bitcoin has about three to five years to prepare for a post-quantum security upgrade.  

BlackRock’s global head of digital assets, Robert Mitchnick, said that Bitcoin core developers do “incredibly important work” and that the asset management company was pleased to make “significant additional funding available to support Bitcoin’s long-term security needs.” 

Magazine: Bitcoin’s quantum upgrade path: What BIP-360 changes and what it does not

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

An ongoing hacking spree has claimed another three victims in the past 24 hours, with a total of over $35 million lost.

Verus bridge has lost over $7.5 million, just two months after being hit by a similar hack which claimed $11 million. Proceeds of the May exploit were partially returned following a 25% bounty offer.

Now, AFX is offering a 30% bounty in response to losing $24 million USDC from its Arbitrum bridge.

In an increasingly bleak landscape for legitimate security researchers, such generous offers are, at best, insulting, and, at worst, may even tempt those with such skills to the dark side.

Read more: Across, Allbridge, TeleSwap lost $5.7M to bridge hacks in past week

Verus bridge hacked again

Following the return of 75% of the funds lost in May’s hack, the assets were sent from the recovery address back into the Verus bridge just 14 days ago.

In the early hours of Thursday, a wide range of assets (tBTC, ETH, USDC, scrvUSD, MKR, USDT and EURC) totaling $7.5 million were withdrawn from the bridge in a single transaction.

According to blockchain auditor SlowMist, both exploits share a root cause of “flawed cross-chain import validation,” though with slightly different attack vectors.

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This time it looks much less likely that Verus will see the money again, however. The attacker has since deposited a total of 3,916 ETH (over $6.6 million) to Tornado Cash.

Read more: Bridge hacks back in vogue as Verus exploit brings 2026 total to $329M

AFX’s USDC bridge drained of $24M

Late on Wednesday, AFX’s USDC custody bridge on Arbitrum was drained of over $24 million. Security firm BlockSec believes this to be a “malicious use of authorized validator keys,” which were used to sign “the bridge’s 5-of-7 validator quorum.”

Responding to the incident, AFX stated it had suspended bridge operations and is “investigating the root cause.”

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It reassured users that its “AFX trading infrastructure, mainnet, and the Arbitrum network itself have not been compromised.”

AFX has also offered a 30% bounty, worth $7.2 million, for the return of the remaining funds, “as a white hat bounty.” Security expert Taylor Monahan, again, questions the wisdom of such a move.

We are extending a white hat settlement offer to the party responsible for the recent bridge incident.

Return 70% of the stolen assets to the following address:
0x222Bd8dbc0d71972f880DAb5D69cdCFD903D9f1B

You may retain the remaining 30% as a white hat bounty.

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Our priority is…

— Ken / Supercube🧊 (@supercubeguy) July 23, 2026

Read more: More oracle exploits as Ostium loses over $20M

Another audit firm, Peckshield, notes that the exploiter has since swapped the funds for over 12,000 ETH, worth approximately $24 million. Funds remain in the attacker’s address on Ethereum.

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Since the beginning of last week, bridge exploits have claimed at least $40 million.

BSquared staking contract emptied

Finally, BTC-for-AI-agents project BSquared was hacked for almost $4 million due to “unauthorized access to the staking contract’s upgrade authority.”

The team has promised affected B2 stakers will be fully compensated, and is offering the standard 10% bounty.

There may have been an exploit involving @BSquaredNetwork on BNB Chain.

The attacker drained 8.591M $B2 tokens worth $3.86M, swapped them for 5,409 WBNB ($3.11M), bridged the funds to Ethereum, and is currently moving them to Zcash via NEAR Intents.

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Theft addresses:… pic.twitter.com/fnLnAPKxtI

— Specter (@SpecterAnalyst) July 22, 2026

Read more: Supra patched oracle on 11 other chains before $9M Hedera exploit

The contract was drained of $3.86 million worth of B2 tokens on BNB Chain. According to blockchain investigator Specter, which flagged the theft, the tokens were swapped to WBNB, bridged to Ethereum and moved to privacy protocol Zcash.

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They claim that the privileged role has been active for over a year, which may point to an inside job.

Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks. For more informed news and investigations, follow us on X, Bluesky, and Google News, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Ethereum price has remained trapped below $2,000 as rising oil prices, renewed interest-rate concerns and BitMEX’s planned shutdown have tempered bullish sentiment despite continued spot ETF inflows.

According to data from crypto.news, Ethereum (ETH) price traded near $1,927 on July 23 after reaching an intraday high of $1,941. The token has recovered more than 27% from its June low near $1,514, but repeated failures around $1,955 have kept the psychological $2,000 level beyond buyers’ reach.

Oil supplied the latest macro pressure as Middle East tensions pushed crude prices higher for a fifth consecutive session. West Texas Intermediate rose above $90 a barrel after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on Saudi oil tankers raised concerns about regional supplies. Higher energy costs could feed inflation and reduce the Federal Reserve’s room to keep monetary policy unchanged.

Rate traders have already adjusted their positions. The probability of a September Fed hike rose to 79% from 68% per data from the CME FedWatch tool. Expectations for the July meeting remain centered on no change, but another oil-led inflation increase could lift Treasury yields and pressure risk assets such as Ethereum.

U.S. equities also weakened after Alphabet raised its 2026 capital-spending forecast to between $195 billion and $205 billion. The company recorded negative free cash flow of $5.9 billion as quarterly expenditure doubled to $44.9 billion, while its shares fell in premarket trading. 

A retreat across technology stocks could limit speculative demand in crypto markets because both sectors remain sensitive to interest-rate expectations.

ETF demand has kept Ethereum above its rising support structure

Institutional flows have provided a counterweight to the macro uncertainty. U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $72.64 million in net inflows on July 22, according to SoSoValue. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust accounted for $53.47 million, showing that regulated products continued to attract capital even as ETH struggled below $2,000.

BitMEX added a separate source of uncertainty after announcing that it would cease operations on Sept. 23 following a strategic review by parent company HDR Global Trading. The exchange told customers to close positions and withdraw funds before the deadline. BitMEX helped popularize perpetual swaps and has served more than 2 million professional and institutional traders since its 2014 launch.

Position transfers and forced closures at BitMEX could temporarily reduce liquidity or move leverage to rival exchanges. However, the announcement does not mean Ethereum’s global perpetual market will close, because Binance, Bybit, OKX and other venues operate larger derivatives businesses.

Ethereum’s daily chart remains constructive above the Supertrend support at $1,744.73. The indicator has stayed green during the July advance, while the Chaikin Money Flow reading of 0.12 shows that buying volume has exceeded selling volume over the indicator’s measurement period. Price must still close above the nearby $1,941–$1,955 ceiling before the daily structure opens a route toward $2,000.

According to analyst Ted Pillows, spot-market demand has protected the recovery’s main support zone.

“Spot demand is strong and the key support zone hasn’t been lost. IMO, Ethereum could begin its next move up in a few days.”

Pillows placed $2,030 as the first major upside barrier, followed by $2,179 and a heavier supply zone near $2,400. His chart also identified support between roughly $1,834 and $1,897, with lower demand areas around $1,730 and $1,540.

The 4-hour chart shows ETH compressing beneath $1,955.40 while holding an ascending trendline drawn from the June 26 low. Buyers have also defended the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement at $1,860.86, leaving the sequence of higher lows intact. A 4-hour close above $1,955 would clear the recovery high and place $2,000–$2,030 within reach.

Momentum has weakened before that test. The 4-hour Relative Strength Index has fallen to 57.46 from its recent highs and sits below its signal average of 63.30. MACD has also registered a bearish crossover, with the MACD line at 13.48 beneath the 15.94 signal line and the histogram at minus 2.46. Neither indicator confirms a trend reversal, but both show that buyers have lost speed near resistance.

Break below $1,860 would invalidate the immediate breakout setup

CoinGlass’s three-day liquidation heatmap places the largest nearby short-liquidation concentration around $1,958–$1,965. A move through that band could force bearish positions to close and accelerate a test of $2,000. The strongest downside liquidity sits near $1,895–$1,905, with another dense pocket around $1,875.

Failure to hold the rising 4-hour trendline would expose the $1,860 Fibonacci level first. A close below that support would weaken the higher-low structure and raise the risk of a decline toward $1,786.63, followed by daily Supertrend support near $1,745. Losses below $1,745 would invalidate the current recovery thesis and reopen $1,682.

Oil supply disruptions, a higher September rate-hike probability, and forced position reductions before BitMEX closes remain the main external risks. Ethereum needs sustained spot volume above $1,955 to confirm a breakout; without it, liquidity around $1,900 may continue to pull price back into the established range.

Key takeaways

• XRP continues to trade below its 50-day EMA, keeping the short-term trend bearish.
• Momentum indicators are improving, with the MACD turning more positive and the RSI rising to around 55.
• A break above $1.15 could strengthen the recovery, while failure to do so may trigger another pullback.

Ripple’s native token, XRP, remained under pressure on Thursday, extending its corrective phase as it traded below the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). 

Although the cryptocurrency has rebounded from recent lows, buyers continue to face strong resistance that has limited the recovery.

The current technical setup suggests that while bullish momentum is gradually improving, XRP has yet to confirm a sustained trend reversal.

50-Day EMA continues to cap upside

XRP is currently trading below the 50-day EMA at $1.1458, while remaining well beneath the 200-day EMA at $1.4425.

These moving averages continue to act as significant resistance levels, preventing the token from building stronger upward momentum.

Recent price action indicates that buyers have successfully defended lower support zones, but rallies have repeatedly stalled before reclaiming key technical levels.

Despite the broader corrective trend, technical indicators suggest that buying pressure is slowly returning.

The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains on an upward trajectory, with both the MACD line and signal line advancing while the histogram continues expanding into positive territory. This indicates that bullish momentum is strengthening.

Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has climbed to approximately 55, placing it above the neutral 50 level. The reading suggests buyers are gradually regaining control without the market entering overbought conditions.

Together, these indicators point to improving market sentiment, although confirmation of a sustained recovery will require a breakout above key resistance.

Key Resistance Levels

The first major obstacle for XRP is the 50-day EMA at $1.1458. Just above that sits the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent decline from $1.2935 to $1.0092, located around $1.1514.

A decisive move above this resistance zone would improve the short-term outlook and could encourage additional buying interest.

If XRP fails to break higher, traders will likely monitor several important support areas:

• 38.2% Fibonacci retracement: $1.1178
• Broken ascending trendline: Around $1.0937
• 23.6% Fibonacci retracement: $1.0763
• Recent swing low: $1.0092

Holding above these support levels would help preserve the current recovery structure, while a break below them could expose XRP to further downside.

XRP remains in a cautious recovery phase, supported by improving momentum indicators but constrained by significant technical resistance.

A successful breakout above the $1.1458–$1.1514 resistance zone would provide the first meaningful signal that bulls are regaining control. Until then, the token is likely to remain in a consolidation phase, with traders watching whether support around $1.12 can withstand renewed selling pressure.

Bitcoin price has fallen 1.4% from an intraday high of $66,300 to $65,368 as rising oil prices, renewed U.S.-Iran tensions, and regulatory uncertainty have pushed traders toward a more defensive stance.

The decline erased part of Bitcoin’s recent recovery and brought the $65,000 support level back into focus. Selling accelerated after BTC failed to hold above $66,000, while the Fear and Greed Index remained in neutral territory as traders weighed institutional inflows against fresh macroeconomic risks.

Political uncertainty added to the pressure after Senate Democrats objected to parts of the latest Digital Asset Market Clarity Act proposal. Polymarket traders had lowered the probability of the bill becoming law in 2026 to about 37% earlier this week as ethics rules and investor protections remained unresolved.

At the same time, BitMEX announced that it would close its derivatives exchange on Sept. 23 following a strategic review by parent company HDR Global Trading. The platform stopped accepting new registrations and asked customers to close positions and withdraw their assets before operations end.

Institutional flows have provided some support during the pullback. U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded $69 million in net inflows on July 22, their seventh consecutive positive session, according to SoSoValue data. The seven-day streak brought combined inflows to about $1 billion, although July’s additions remained below the $6.9 billion withdrawn in May and June.

Oil and geopolitical risks are testing demand at $65,000

West Texas Intermediate crude climbed nearly 4% to around $90 a barrel on July 23, extending its advance for a fifth session. Brent rose close to $99 as attacks on Saudi oil tankers and threats against regional energy infrastructure raised fears of supply disruptions.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker caught fire after it was struck southwest of Al Shuqaiq. Yemen’s Houthi rebels later claimed attacks on two Saudi tankers, saying the vessels had violated their maritime blockade.

President Donald Trump also warned that Washington would strike an Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran attacked a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities responded with threats against U.S.-linked infrastructure and energy assets across the region if Washington carried out those attacks.

Higher energy costs could keep U.S. inflation elevated and limit the Federal Reserve’s room to lower interest rates. Treasury yields may rise if traders expect tighter policy for longer, a development that could hurt demand for Bitcoin and other assets that do not offer a fixed yield.

Technology stocks have supplied another risk factor as investors assess Alphabet’s increased spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Weakness across high-growth equities often spills into Bitcoin because both markets attract investors who are sensitive to interest rates and changes in liquidity.

Bitcoin retains its rising channel while momentum weakens

Bitcoin’s 4-hour chart shows that price remains inside an ascending channel that began near $57,800 in early July. The lower trendline now runs through the $65,000–$65,400 area, making the current retest important for the short-term recovery.

A successful defense could allow BTC to revisit $66,800, where the latest rally stalled, followed by the channel ceiling near $67,500. The three-day liquidation heatmap shows concentrated short-liquidation between $66,500 and $67,300, with another large cluster near $68,100.

Commenting on the setup, crypto trader Ted Pillows noted that Bitcoin could advance toward $67,500–$68,000 as long as $65,000 holds.

“BTC is having a correction but still holding above the $65,000 level. As long as this holds, Bitcoin could rally towards $67,500–$68,000 soon.”

Analyst Lennaert Snyder offered a more cautious view after retaining a short position from the $67,000 region. Snyder identified a possible long entry only after a sweep below $65,000 and kept $68,100 as an upside target that would require confirmation.

$BTC is grinding lower from the 67K region.

Nothing really changed since yesterday since we’ve had a boring Wednesday.

Still in the short from the 67K region, and looking for a potential scalp-long after the sweep of the 65K lows.

The 68.1K highs are still a target, but not… pic.twitter.com/CCAwFiq070

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— Lennaert Snyder (@LennaertSnyder) July 23, 2026

Momentum has weakened on the 4-hour chart. The MACD line has dropped to 285.70, below the signal line at 398.23, while the histogram has moved to minus 112.53. The relative strength index has fallen to 53.52 from above 60, leaving momentum positive but no longer strong enough to confirm an immediate breakout.

On the daily chart, Bitcoin trades above the 20-day simple moving average at $64,232 and the 50-day average at $63,171. Those levels support the recovery structure, but BTC remains below the 100-day and 200-day averages at $70,044 and $72,602, respectively.

The daily Aroon Down reading has climbed to 85.71%, while Aroon Up has dropped to zero, which gives sellers control despite the recent rebound. A daily close above $66,800 would weaken that bearish reading and open a path toward $68,000 and the 100-day average.

Downside risk would increase if Bitcoin closes below the channel floor and loses $65,000. The heatmap places leveraged-long liquidity around $64,800, $64,500 and $64,000, while the moving averages create another support band between $63,170 and $64,230.

A break below $63,170 would invalidate the short-term recovery and expose $61,500, followed by the late-June floor near $59,000. Further oil gains, higher Treasury yields, or another escalation involving Iran could speed up that move even if ETF inflows remain positive.