Crypto Bloodbath: Why Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP & Litecoin Prices Are Tanking Today | Aug 19, 2025
Crypto markets got sucker-punched overnight—here’s what’s driving the selloff.
Whalesale panic or justified correction? Bitcoin’s 15% nosedive dragged Ethereum, XRP, and Litecoin down with it. No single catalyst—just a perfect storm of leveraged liquidations and ETF outflow rumors.
Traders vs. hodlers: Paper hands bailed after the SEC delayed another spot BTC ETF decision (shocking nobody), while OGs shrugged and bought the dip. Classic.
Silver lining? Network fundamentals remain strong—Ethereum gas fees hit 6-month lows as layer-2 adoption soars. But try telling that to the hedge fund bros liquidating their 100x longs.
Wake us up when Wall Street’s algos stop treating crypto like a roulette wheel. Your keys, your coins—their loss.
August 19, 2025 06:06:43 UTC
South Korea Orders Crypto Exchanges to Halt Lending Services
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has issued a directive requiring local crypto exchanges to suspend all lending services with immediate effect. The regulator said these offerings fall into a legal gray area and pose significant risks, noting that 13% of borrowers have already faced liquidation. Under the order, existing lending contracts can either be extended or repaid, but no new loans are allowed. The FSC also warned that exchanges failing to comply will face on-site inspections and potential penalties. Formal guidelines for crypto lending are expected to be introduced in the coming months.
August 19, 2025 05:39:29 UTC
Hyperliquid Founder Denies Market Maker Partnerships, Highlights HLP Pool
Hyperliquid founder Jeff dismissed speculation that the project relies on special arrangements with market makers. Speaking on a podcast, he explained that, unlike many decentralized exchanges that raised funds by securing market-maker investments, Hyperliquid has never adopted that model. Jeff argued such practices create only a “short-term illusion” of liquidity rather than sustainable value. He clarified that the only exception is the HLP liquidity pool, a transparent system open to all users who can deposit directly through the protocol, far removed from traditional market-making agreements.
August 19, 2025 05:39:29 UTC
Institutions Hold $165B in Bitcoin ETFs, Just $25B in Ethereum ETF
Bitcoin spot ETFs continue to dominate institutional portfolios, holding a massive $165.57 billion in assets under management (AUM). BlackRock’s IBIT leads with $85.25B, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $36.84B and Grayscale’s GBTC at $21.44B. In comparison, ethereum spot ETFs collectively hold $25.56 billion, highlighting a stark contrast in allocation. Institutions remain heavily skewed toward Bitcoin, maintaining a 6:1 ratio of BTC to ETH exposure. This trend hints at Bitcoin’s position as the preferred institutional asset, while Ethereum continues to play catch-up despite its growing ETF presence.
