Ethereum-Focused BTCS Joins Russell Microcap Index Amid $100M Funding Surge

Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions (BTCS), a Nasdaq-listed company specializing in Ethereum-based operations, has achieved a significant milestone by joining the Russell Microcap Index. This development comes alongside the firm's announcement of a $100 million funding initiative aimed at expanding its ETH holdings, leveraging its blockchain activities such as staking and block building. The news propelled BTCS shares to surge over 22% in pre-market trading, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's strategic direction and the broader ethereum ecosystem. As of July 17, 2025, this move underscores the growing institutional interest in Ethereum and its underlying technology, positioning BTCS as a key player in the evolving digital asset landscape.

BTCS Joins Russell Microcap Index as Ether Treasury Firms Rally

Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions (BTCS) is set to join the Russell Microcap Index, marking a significant milestone for the Ethereum-focused firm. The Nasdaq-listed company recently unveiled a $100 million funding initiative to bolster its ETH holdings, capitalizing on its blockchain operations including staking and block building. Shares surged over 22% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

The move reflects a broader trend among firms accumulating ether treasury reserves, with GameSquare and SharpLink Gaming posting 45% and 16% gains respectively. Market participants are increasingly viewing ETH as a strategic reserve asset, mirroring corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies that gained traction in 2020-2021.

BTCS's inclusion in the Russell index could drive institutional interest, as fund managers often use these benchmarks for portfolio construction. The company's ChainQ analytics platform positions it at the intersection of blockchain infrastructure and data services - a growing sector as on-chain activity reaches new highs.

Peter Thiel Invests 9% in Bitmine, Boosting Ethereum Treasury Plans

Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and a prominent venture capitalist, has taken a 9% stake in Bitmine Immersion Technologies. This investment underscores his confidence in Bitmine's aggressive Ethereum accumulation strategy, which recently saw the company secure $500 million worth of ETH. Bitmine now holds nearly 163,000 ETH, positioning it as one of the largest public holders of the cryptocurrency.

The market reacted swiftly to Thiel's endorsement, with Bitmine's stock surging 12.54% in after-hours trading. The move draws parallels to MicroStrategy's bitcoin holdings, signaling growing institutional interest in Ethereum as a treasury asset. Thiel's acquisition of approximately 5.1 million shares represents a significant bet on Bitmine's pivot toward Ethereum.

Crypto Bills Clear Procedural Hurdles in House After Tuesday’s Failure

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced three pivotal cryptocurrency bills—the GENIUS Act, Clarity Act, and Anti-CBDC Act—on Wednesday, reversing Tuesday's procedural defeat. The vote swung to 215-211, buoyed by Republican support and President Trump's last-minute intervention. The GENIUS Act, already Senate-approved, is slated for House passage Thursday.

President Trump brokered a compromise with Republican dissenters, securing stronger anti-CBDC provisions in the Clarity Act. "House Freedom Caucus Members will vote in favor after our agreement with the President," confirmed Representative Andy Harris. The move signals growing institutional acceptance of crypto regulation.

Ethereum (ETH) and other layer-1 blockchains stand to benefit most from the legislation's imminent approval. Institutional capital inflows are expected to accelerate as regulatory clarity emerges—a bullish catalyst for altcoins amid tightening CBDC restrictions.

Tornado Cash Developers Offered No Assistance to Hack Victims, Trial Reveals

Victims of cryptocurrency hacks and scams testified in the second day of Roman Storm's criminal trial, revealing that requests for help sent to Tornado Cash developers went unanswered. A Georgia woman lost $250,000 to a pig butchering scam, with funds laundered through the privacy tool. BitMart's legal representative recounted Storm's response to their $200 million 2021 hack: the decentralized nature of Tornado Cash made fund recovery impossible.

Sky Mavis CTO Andy Ho detailed the $625 million Ronin Bridge exploit by North Korea's Lazarus Group, which utilized Tornado Cash to obscure stolen funds. Prosecutors highlighted these failures to assist as they build their money laundering case against Storm.

ETH Hits New Highs Amid Powell Resignation Speculation

Ethereum surged nearly 12% to test $3,400, building on sustained support above $3,050. Market observers now eye $4,000 as a plausible near-term target. The rally coincides with heightened volatility in traditional markets following rumors of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's potential ouster.

Cryptocurrencies initially mirrored equity market jitters before stabilizing when former President TRUMP denied plans to replace Powell. Analysts remain wary—political interference in central banking could exacerbate inflationary pressures, particularly when combined with expansionary fiscal policies. Ethereum's momentum appears decoupled from these macro concerns, suggesting strong organic demand for blockchain utility.

Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Minimalist Layer-2 Designs on Ethereum

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum Foundation researcher Jason Chaskin are pushing for a paradigm shift in blockchain architecture. Their proposal urges Layer-1 networks to integrate with Ethereum as Layer-2 solutions, leveraging Ethereum's robust security, decentralized framework, and data availability.

Celo's recent transition to an Ethereum Layer-2 network exemplifies this approach. The MOVE has enhanced scalability while maintaining Ethereum's core advantages. Buterin emphasizes minimalist design principles—focusing on sequencers and provers rather than reinventing entire blockchain structures.

The upcoming integration of zero-knowledge Ethereum VIRTUAL Machines (zkEVMs) promises to further streamline Layer-2 validation. This development could reduce operational overhead and solidify Ethereum's position as the foundational layer for scalable blockchain solutions.