🚀 Crypto Weekly Wrap: Market Shakers, ETF Rumors & Altcoin Surges | Aug 16, 2025

Bitcoin flirts with $80K as institutional FOMO hits overdrive—while regulators scramble to keep up.

SEC’s ETF Stalemate: Another week, another delay. ‘Protecting investors’ looks suspiciously like protecting old-money gatekeepers.

Altseason Goes Nuclear: SOL and ADA rip +20% as DeFi TVL smashes records. Even the memecoins are mooning (sigh).

CBDC Watch: FedNow ‘accidentally’ tests programmable money features. ‘Totally not surveillance,’ claims the press release.

Closing thought: Wall Street still thinks crypto is a ‘niche asset.’ Meanwhile, the niche is eating their lunch—with zero fees.

As usual, it’s been an eventful week for crypto, folks!

Bitcoin hit fresh highs, but that’s only part of the story.

Washington is tangled in stablecoin fights, inflation is heating up, and Ripple’s long legal drama finally reached its conclusion. Add to that a high-profile guilty plea, a shake-up at the White House, and ethereum ETFs stealing headlines and you’ve got a week to watch.

Missed any of it? Don’t worry – here’s your complete catch-up.

#1 Crypto Market Cap Tops $4.13T as Bitcoin Sets New High

Bitcoin had smashed through $124,000, setting a new all-time high and overtaking Google to become the fifth-largest asset in the world. The rally comes on the back of strong institutional demand, ETF inflows, and hopes of a U.S. interest rate cut. The surge hasn’t just lifted Bitcoin – the entire crypto market hit $4.2 trillion, with Ethereum and other major altcoins also gaining ground.

Another clear sign that crypto is picking pace.

#2 US Banks Warn Stablecoin Yields Could Drain Trillions

U.S. banking groups are urging Congress to plug a loophole in the new GENIUS Act, warning it could let stablecoin issuers sneak in yields through affiliates. The Bank Policy Institute, backed by the ABA and others, says this could pull $6.6 trillion out of bank deposits, putting America’s credit system at risk.

“Payment stablecoins should not pay interest,” the letter stressed. With stablecoins gaining ground fast, banks fear yield-bearing tokens could challenge savings accounts and squeeze traditional lending.

#3 July PPI Surges to 3.3%, Beating Forecasts

The U.S. Producer Price Index rose 3.3% in July, its biggest jump since 2022 and well above forecasts of 2.5%. Core PPI climbed 3.7%, showing inflation pressures are spreading beyond food and energy. Beef, eggs, steel, and electronics all saw sharp price gains, highlighting the impact of tariffs.

“There continues to be clear evidence that prices of a number of durable goods are being passed through to consumers,” said Michael Hanson of J.P. Morgan. The U.S. Dollar Index ticked higher on the news, but the crypto markets saw a $500M wipeout.

#4 Do Kwon Pleads Guilty in $40B Terra Collapse

Do Kwon, the South Korean founder of Terraform Labs, has pleaded guilty to fraud in the U.S. after the $40 billion crash of TerraUSD and Luna. In court, he admitted to conspiring on commodities, securities, and wire fraud, and agreed to forfeit $19 million in proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton called it “one of the largest frauds in history.” Once hailed as a crypto pioneer, Kwon now faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced on December 11.

#5 Bo Hines Exits White House Crypto Role

The WHITE House Crypto Council is set for a leadership change as Bo Hines steps down after eight months as executive director. Calling the role “the honor of a lifetime,” Hines thanked the crypto community and signaled ongoing support as he heads back to the private sector.

His deputy, Patrick Witt, is expected to take over. Hines leaves behind bold ideas, from expanding U.S. Bitcoin reserves to revaluing gold, and a council still shaping the country’s digital asset strategy.

Serving in President Trump’s administration and working alongside our brilliant AI & Crypto Czar @DavidSacks as Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council has been the honor of a lifetime. Together, we have positioned America as the crypto capital of the world. I’m…

#6 Ripple Case Ends, SEC Turns to Clear Crypto Rules

The SEC’s long fight with Ripple has finally closed, ending nearly five years of courtroom drama. Both sides agreed to drop appeals and cover costs, freeing the agency to focus on what comes next.

Commissioner Hester Peirce called the end a “welcome development,” while Chair Paul Atkins added: “With this chapter closed, we now have an opportunity to shift our energy from the courtroom to the policy drafting table.”

The shift comes as lawmakers aim to define digital asset markets once and for all.

#7 Bitcoin & Ethereum ETFs Beat Apple Stock in Daily Trades

Ethereum and bitcoin ETFs are now trading at volumes that rival Wall Street’s biggest names. On one day this month, their combined $11.5B turnover edged past Apple’s stock.

The spotlight, however, is firmly on Ethereum. Its ETFs clocked $40B in weekly trades, fuelled by $3.37B in inflows and BlackRock’s ETHA hitting record numbers. Ether has jumped 126% since June, far outpacing Bitcoin’s 21%.

With institutions like Wells Fargo and NEOS expanding ETF offerings, Ethereum is becoming mainstream.

#8 Bullish Stock Surges on NYSE Debut, Raises $1.1B

Bullish finally went public, and the debut was interesting.

The crypto exchange priced its IPO at $37, raising $1.1B, but shares opened at $90 and briefly hit $118 before trading halts cooled the frenzy. The stock closed at $70, still leaving Bullish valued above $10B. The deal was more than 20 times oversubscribed, with big names like BlackRock and ARK showing interest.

For a company once stuck in a failed SPAC plan, this Wall Street launch was a statement.

#9 Trump Media Files for Truth Social Bitcoin ETF With SEC

Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, has taken a big step into crypto. The firm filed an updated registration with the SEC for the Truth Social Bitcoin ETF, set to trade under the ticker B.T.

The fund will hold Bitcoin directly, aiming to mirror its price moves. If approved, the shares will list on NYSE Arca, with Yorkville America Digital as sponsor. Crypto.com will handle custody, execution, and liquidity.

#10 No Taxpayer Funds: Treasury Outlines Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has clarified how the U.S. will build its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and it won’t be through fresh government spending. Speaking after earlier remarks caused confusion, Bessent said confiscated bitcoin will FORM the base of the reserve, with “budget-neutral pathways” to expand it.

He stressed the government will stop selling seized BTC, instead holding it as part of President Trump’s push to make the U.S. a “bitcoin superpower.”

In the Spotlight 

Here’s a few quick hits you shouldn’t miss! 

: Emirates, Air Arabia, and others now let travelers pay in Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins – a bold MOVE positioning the UAE as a crypto-friendly travel hub.

: After pushback, Google says its new compliance policy won’t apply to non-custodial wallets and will update the wording to remove confusion.

: First Coinbase, then Robinhood – now Stripe is testing “Tempo” while Circle unveils “Arc.” The rush is all about control: owning the rails of future payments.

: New twin bills demand licences, ID checks, live photos and $1,000 daily caps at kiosks, aiming to curb scams and tighten compliance.

: The move WOULD shift Paxos from state to federal oversight, giving it authority to safeguard assets and speed up settlements under the OCC’s watch.

What’s Next for Crypto?

Major shifts to expect ahead 

• Bitcoin’s surge past $124K sets the stage for wider market momentum, with altcoins likely to ride the wave.
• Stablecoin lobbying battles in Washington could reshape how trillions move between banks and crypto.
• Inflation shocks like July’s PPI jump may keep crypto markets volatile as investors hedge against policy risks.
• With Ripple’s case closed, the SEC has room to finally draft clear, industry-wide crypto rules.
• Ethereum’s ETF dominance signals a shift in institutional focus that could narrow Bitcoin’s lead.