I’m back with yet another crypto market round-up for the week – in case you missed anything.
It’s been one of those weeks where big moves are coming from every direction. We’ve seen Bitcoin back at $100,000, Ethereum making its own comeback, and a string of corporate moves that could reshape the industry. Not to mention the ongoing drama around stablecoins, meme coins, and everything in between.
This week had it all, and if you’re not keeping up, you might get left behind! There’s a ton of chaos.
It’s a dynamic time for the crypto world, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Let’s get into it.
#1 Bitcoin Breaks $100K Again
Bitcoin’s rally to over $100,000 is the talk of the town! After a rough few months, BTC seems to have found its stride again – phew!
The recent rally can be traced back to several key factors. Investor confidence is on the rise, thanks to the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady, strong earnings from major U.S. companies, and President Trump’s trade deal with the UK.
On top of that, nearly $1.8 billion in institutional inflows to Bitcoin-related products have given further momentum to the rally. (more on that later)
#2 Ethereum Is Back – And Stronger Than Ever!
Last week, we predicted that there’s a strong chance we’d see Ethereum make a comeback.
The Ethereum network surged past $2,300 as the market absorbed bullish catalysts like the Pectra upgrade. This upgrade, which went off without a hitch, promises to streamline staking and improve the network’s overall efficiency.
That’s not it! Ethereum saw a massive 373% spike in whale netflows, signaling a strong investment trend among large-scale buyers. Ethereum-focused ETFs also saw $17.6 million in net inflows this week. Meanwhile, Layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism continue to draw attention.
Ethereum has long been the backbone of decentralized applications and the future (finally) looks bright.
#3 Coinbase Makes Historic $2.9B Deribit Move
In the biggest acquisition in crypto history, Coinbase sealed the deal this week for Deribit, a leader in crypto options, for a whopping $2.9 billion.
Wall Street’s buzzing, calling it a major play that positions Coinbase as a serious competitor in the derivatives market – now eyeing Binance’s throne. But despite the excitement, Coinbase’s stock didn’t get the lift expected, as disappointing Q1 earnings, hit by tariffs, kept it grounded.
Can this massive move turn the tide, or did Coinbase overpay?
#4 Senate Tanks Stablecoin Bill in Power Play Against Trump
Washington killed what could’ve been crypto’s biggest policy breakthrough yet and turned it into a political circus.
The GENIUS Act, a bipartisan stablecoin bill, was blocked in the Senate, with accusations flying that Democrats pulled out last-minute to sabotage Trump. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Galaxy’s Mike Novogratz weren’t having it – both slammed the move as a step backward.
Meanwhile, Democrats doubled down with the MEME Act and bills to bar current or former federal officials from promoting or financially benefiting from digital assets during or shortly after holding office.
It seems like we’re still several steps away from clarity.
#5 BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Is on Fire
BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF notched its 19th straight day of inflows – a record for 2025 – pulling in a massive $356M on May 9 alone. Since mid-April, IBIT has raked in over $1B, mirroring Bitcoin’s dramatic climb back above $100K.
This streak even beats the buzz around Trump’s January inauguration. Whether you love ETFs or not, BlackRock is making it crystal clear that institutional money is here, it’s bullish, and it’s not backing off anytime soon.
This is conviction if I’ve ever seen it!
Meta’s not done with crypto – not even close.
Three years after its ambitious Libra project crumbled under political pressure, the social media giant is quietly stepping back into Web3. This time, it’s eyeing stablecoins for cross-border payouts, especially to support creators on Instagram. The company has brought on fintech veteran Ginger Baker, known for her work with the Stellar Foundation, to lead the charge.
Early talks are already underway with crypto infra partners, and while it’s still hush-hush, the gears are definitely turning.
#7 Galaxy Digital Heads for Nasdaq Debut
Galaxy Digital just cleared a major hurdle in its plan to go full Wall Street. The SEC has approved the company’s move to the U.S. – a key step toward its upcoming Nasdaq listing.
Ditching its Canadian roots, Galaxy plans to move to Delaware, a favorite among big businesses. It’s a strategic play as crypto firms aim to get closer to U.S. capital markets and tap growing institutional demand.
Galaxy’s Nasdaq debut would mark another big moment in crypto’s slow but steady march into traditional finance. Gotta love it!
#8 eXch Shut Down in $38M Crypto Crime Bust
German authorities just shut down a crypto laundering operation linked to the infamous $1.4 billion Bybit hack. The eXch platform, which had quietly operated since 2014, was seized along with €34 million ($38M) in crypto – making it Germany’s third-largest crypto bust ever.
Investigators say eXch functioned as a swap service with zero AML oversight, enabling billions in shady transfers, including stolen Bybit funds. Over 8 terabytes of data were also confiscated.
#9 Changpeng Zhao Applies for Presidential Pardon
Changpeng Zhao just made it official – the Binance co-founder and former CEO confirmed he’s applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. After dodging rumors for months, CZ cleared the air during a podcast chat.
He says the move comes in response to media chatter from March tying him to Trump-linked business deals – claims he denies. Zhao previously served four months in prison and paid a $50 million fine in a wider $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. regulators over Binance’s AML failures.
#10 New Hampshire Becomes First U.S. State to Establish Bitcoin Reserve
New Hampshire made history this week! Governor Kelly Ayotte signed off on House Bill 302, officially making the state the first in the U.S. to approve a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The law allows up to 5% of public funds to be allocated to assets like Bitcoin, as long as they have a market cap over $500 billion.
It’s a bold move, backed by the Satoshi Action Fund, and it could spark a domino effect across other states.
Governor Ayotte said: “New Hampshire is once again First in the Nation! Just signed a new law allowing our state to invest in cryptocurrency and precious metals.”
In the Spotlight
Here’s a few quick hits you shouldn’t miss!
Meet Mia! Sweat’s New AI Agent for Fitness and Crypto: Integrated into the Sweat Wallet app, Mia helps users navigate fitness and crypto tasks with ease. Powered by Near Protocol’s AI, Mia offers a chat-based interface that personalizes tips for fitness and $SWEAT crypto activities.
USDT Lands on Kaia and LINE: Tether’s USDT is now natively available on the Kaia network, allowing LINE’s 196 million users to seamlessly use the stablecoin for in-app payments and DeFi activities.
Celsius CEO Mashinsky Sentenced to 12 Years: Alexander Mashinsky, ex-CEO of Celsius Network, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to manipulating crypto token prices and defrauding investors out of millions.
Jack Mallers Expands Strike with BTC Lending: Strike is taking a bold step into Bitcoin-based lending, allowing users to borrow fiat while holding onto their BTC. It will initially be available in select regions of the U.S. with plans for international expansion. A game changer for crypto lending!
Altcoins are on the Rise: Whales this week scooped up altcoins! Ethereum (ETH) leads the charge. Apecoin (APE) is up 13%, reaching its highest whale-held level since November 2022. Polygon (POL) isn’t far behind, with whales scooping up over 3 million tokens. Solana (SOL) and Binance Coin (BNB) are also in the spotlight.
What’s Next for Crypto?
Major shifts to expect ahead
- The Senate’s hold-up on the stablecoin bill, especially amid Trump-related controversies, could push back the timeline for broader crypto market regulation.
- Ethereum’s recent Pectra upgrade, coupled with a rise in whale activity, suggests the start of a new bullish altcoin season. Expect more price action in ETH and other top altcoins.
- With New Hampshire becoming the first U.S. state to approve a crypto reserve law, we may see more states follow suit, paving the way for decentralized, state-driven crypto regulations.
In crypto, the next big move could be just around the corner. Stay tuned, and I’ll catch you next week with all the juiciest stories and game-changing updates!
