Coinbase and Ripple CEOs Praised as Visionary Leaders in Crypto Industry
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has been hailed as 'Crypto's Steve Jobs' by prominent XRP attorney John Deaton, who also commended Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong for their leadership in navigating regulatory challenges. This endorsement highlights Garlinghouse's growing influence following Ripple's legal battles with the SEC. The comparison to Apple's founder underscores the visionary roles both executives play in shaping the future of digital assets. As of July 2025, their resilience continues to inspire confidence in the cryptocurrency sector.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Hailed as 'Crypto's Steve Jobs' by Prominent XRP Attorney
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has been compared to Apple founder Steve Jobs by John Deaton, a leading attorney representing XRP holders in the SEC lawsuit. Deaton cited Garlinghouse and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong as the crypto industry's most visionary leaders, praising their resilience in navigating regulatory challenges.
The endorsement underscores Garlinghouse's growing influence following Ripple's protracted legal battle with U.S. regulators. Deaton previously filed an amicus brief supporting XRP investors in 2021, while Garlinghouse later backed Deaton's Senate campaign against Elizabeth Warren—a MOVE mirrored by Coinbase's Armstrong.
Central Banks Quietly Accumulating Bitcoin Exposure as BTC Hits All-Time High
Bitcoin's rally to $118,000 has created a watershed moment for institutional adoption. The Czech Central Bank's recent acquisition of Coinbase shares through its S&P 500 strategy reveals how traditional finance is gaining crypto exposure through backdoor channels.
MicroStrategy's $70 billion Bitcoin treasury - now holding 597,325 BTC with $6 billion in unrealized gains - demonstrates the asymmetric upside of corporate balance sheet allocations. The company's 40% Q2 stock surge and inclusion in the S&P 500 validates Michael Saylor's conviction play.
Public miners like Marathon Digital are mirroring BTC's price action with 24% quarterly gains, creating a reflexive relationship between crypto-native equities and their underlying asset performance. This correlation suggests markets are pricing Bitcoin's scarcity premium into related equities.
Czech Central Bank Expands Crypto Portfolio with $18.1M Coinbase Stake
The Czech National Bank has made its first foray into cryptocurrency investments, acquiring $18.1 million worth of Coinbase shares in Q2 2025. The 51,732-share purchase, disclosed in an SEC filing, now holds a market value approaching $20 million amid Coinbase's 56% year-to-date rally.
This strategic move aligns with Governor Aleš Michl's stated ambition to diversify the central bank's €140 billion reserves. The CNB is reportedly considering allocating up to 5% of its holdings to bitcoin and other digital assets, signaling growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies as reserve assets.
Coinbase's stock performance reflects broader market optimism, fueled by crypto rallies and strategic acquisitions. The exchange now serves as a gateway for traditional finance institutions seeking regulated exposure to digital assets.
SharpLink Becomes Second-Largest Corporate Holder of ETH with 270,000 Tokens
SharpLink has amassed over 270,000 ETH, positioning itself as the second-largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency, trailing only the ethereum Foundation. The Minneapolis-based sports betting and entertainment tech company is now integrating Ethereum into its treasury infrastructure, signaling a strategic shift beyond mere investment.
Ethereum's price rebound aligns with Bitcoin's recovery, fueled by institutional interest in DeFi, staking, and blockchain analytics. SharpLink's aggressive acquisitions include 10,000 ETH purchased for $25.7 million directly from the Ethereum Foundation, followed by 21,487 ETH secured from Galaxy Digital and Coinbase Prime.
The Ethereum Foundation's decision to sell ETH sparked criticism within the crypto community, with some interpreting it as a lack of confidence in the asset's long-term value. SharpLink's accumulation, however, underscores growing institutional adoption.
Bitcoin Surges to Record $122,000 Amid U.S. 'Crypto Week' Momentum
Bitcoin shattered expectations with a historic rally past $122,000 on Coinbase, marking a 3.5% daily gain as institutional interest intensifies. The milestone follows BTC's breakout into price discovery territory earlier this week, fueled by anticipation of regulatory clarity during Washington's designated 'Crypto Week'.
Three pivotal bills dominate congressional discussions: the GENIUS Act for stablecoin oversight, the CLARITY Act establishing digital asset frameworks, and legislation opposing CBDC surveillance. Market observers speculate these developments could culminate in a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve announcement.
Macroeconomic forces amplify the rally. Analysts attribute part of Bitcoin's ascent to Trump's proposed $2.4 trillion spending package, which Derive founder Nick Forster describes as 'a massive fiscal stimulus signaling looser policy ahead.' The cryptocurrency now commands a market valuation exceeding Amazon's.
