It was a turbulent week for crypto markets. Bitcoin briefly touched $110K before tumbling to $104K amid renewed Middle East tensions. Solana dropped 15%, and over $1B in leveraged positions were liquidated in 24 hours. Investors fled to gold and oil, triggering wider altcoin sell-offs.
Despite the volatility, institutions are still in — crypto funds hit a record $167B AUM, and FalconX is preparing for an IPO. Tokenized real-world assets are gaining traction, and regulators in the U.S. and Asia are finally moving from talk to action.
1. U.S. Senate Greenlights Landmark Stablecoin Bill
In a significant milestone for the digital asset industry, the U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act, marking the first major legislative framework for stablecoins. The bill lays out licensing, auditing, and reserve requirements for issuers, aiming to protect consumers and financial stability. With bipartisan support, the bill is now set to face debate in the House of Representatives. If passed, it could usher in a new regulatory era and provide long-awaited clarity for fintech and crypto players operating in the U.S.
2. Circle Stock Soars Following Regulatory Breakthrough
In response to the Senate vote, shares of Circle, the company behind USDC, surged 16% to $173.60. The market interpreted the GENIUS Act’s progress as a direct validation of Circle’s model — a fully reserved, compliant stablecoin with U.S. regulatory ambitions. Analysts see this as a signal that compliant digital dollar alternatives are gaining institutional and legislative momentum, potentially opening the door for mainstream adoption of tokenized dollars.
3. FalconX Reportedly Prepping for IPO
FalconX, a leading crypto prime brokerage servicing hedge funds, asset managers, and corporates, is reportedly laying the groundwork for a public listing. While no timeline has been disclosed, the move is seen as a reflection of renewed confidence from institutional players. An IPO could boost transparency in crypto markets and attract a broader investor base — adding credibility to the infrastructure layer of the industry.
4. China Accelerates Digital Yuan Push
China’s central bank announced an intensified rollout of the digital yuan in cross-border payments, trade agreements, and regional banking partnerships. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and promote a multipolar currency system. Analysts suggest that CBDCs like the digital yuan may play a key role in reshaping global financial architecture over the next decade.
5. Chinese Bitcoin Mining Firms Relocate Manufacturing to U.S.
Facing mounting trade tensions and import tariffs, leading Chinese mining hardware manufacturers are now establishing production facilities within the United States. This strategic realignment aims to reduce supply chain friction and better meet demand from North American miners. It also highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape influencing the infrastructure of Bitcoin and proof-of-work networks.
6. Pakistan Establishes National Crypto Council
Pakistan has launched a National Crypto Council to advise the government on digital asset policy and market development. The body includes prominent advisors, including former Binance executives, and signals a new openness to integrating crypto into the country’s financial system.
With over 40 million digital users and a growing fintech sector, Pakistan may emerge as a key player in the next wave of crypto adoption in emerging markets.
7. Tokenized U.S. Treasuries Launch on XRP Ledger
Ripple, in collaboration with Ondo Finance, announced the launch of OUSG, a tokenized representation of short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, directly on the XRP Ledger. This initiative aims to give institutional investors on-chain access to traditional financial instruments, merging the worlds of DeFi and traditional finance. It’s a notable step toward bringing real-world assets (RWAs) to public blockchains in a scalable and compliant manner.
8. Institutional Crypto Funds Hit All-Time High of $167B
According to recent data, the total assets under management (AUM) in institutional crypto funds have reached $167 billion, the highest level on record. The surge has been driven by sustained inflows from hedge funds, pensions, and sovereign wealth vehicles. Analysts point to increasing comfort with digital assets as part of diversified portfolios — especially with the maturing of custodial infrastructure and regulatory clarity improving in key markets.
9. Middle East Tensions Trigger $1B Crypto Liquidations
The escalating Iran–Israel conflict triggered widespread panic selling in crypto markets. Over $1 billion in derivatives positions were liquidated within 24 hours. Bitcoin dropped from its all-time high of $110,000 to $104,000, while Solana lost over 15% of its value in a week.
Investors fled to traditional safe havens like gold and oil, increasing volatility across digital assets.
10. Cybernews Reports Massive 16B Credential Leak
Cybersecurity researchers at Cybernews uncovered a massive data dump containing over 16 billion username-password pairs, including credentials tied to crypto and Web3 platforms. The breach is one of the largest on record and underscores growing concerns over data protection in decentralized ecosystems.
