Crypto Industry News & Market Trends

Hong Kongs HKDAP stablecoin could launch this month

A Hong Kong dollar stablecoin backed by a Standard Chartered-led venture could begin trading as early as July 31, 2026, offering the crypto market a regulated digital currency pegged to something other than the US dollar. The Hong Kong Economic Journal reported that HKDAP is expected to launch before the end of July.　　The timing is nothing short of significant. Over the years, stablecoins have developed into a market valued at well over $310 billion, but nearly all of that value is tied up in US dollar-pegged tokens. According to DefiLlama, Tether (USDT) accounts for around 59% of the market while USD Coin (USDC) makes up about 24%. If we consider other stablecoins that are not dollar-based, then you can see that it is a very small segment.　　In this context, HKDAP (HKD At Par) is one of the first Hong Kong dollar stablecoins to be issued under the relevant regulatory framework and with the support of an international bank.　　Who is issuing HKDAP？　　According to reports, Anchorpoint Financial Limited, a joint venture between Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), HKT (a telecommunications company), and Animoca Brands (a Web3 firm), will issue the HKDAP. On April 10, 2026, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) awarded

07-20Industry

Ethereum Short Sellers Lose $16M in 24-Hour Squeeze

Ethereum News　　Ethereum short sellers absorbed the heaviest losses in crypto derivatives over the past 24 hours, as a broad rebound forced bearish bets to unwind across the majors. Market data show roughly $115.7 million in total liquidations, with short positions accounting for about 54 percent, or $62.7 million, against $52.9 million in long liquidations. Nearly 69,424 traders were liquidated over the day, and the single largest forced order was a $1.11 million ETHUSDT position on Binance. While Bitcoin stayed range-bound, Ethereum (ETH) and other altcoins led the squeeze, tilting derivatives sentiment back toward the upside and deepening the pain for anyone positioned short.　　The rebound coincided with a technical breakout for Ethereum, which pushed through the $1,820 resistance zone that had capped prior advances. After clearing the level, ETH retested it as support and buyers held, printing around $1,867.98 in the session. Analysts highlight that sustained trade above $1,820 opens the door toward a $2,500 target, framing the move as a shift onto firmer technical footing. Ethereum, the largest smart-contract network hosting decentralized applications, still trades well below its all-time high, a gap bulls cite as room for extended upside if the reclaimed support continues to hold.　　On-chain data added a bullish

07-20Industry

Trump Vows to Keep Bringing Prices Down: Heres What the Inflation Data Shows

Key TakeawaysTrump said oil, gas, eggs and drug prices are falling, as June CPI fell 0.4%, the most since April 2020.Gas averaged $3.86 a gallon, down from a May peak above $4.50, after Trump demanded retailers target $2.50.Egg prices rose 4.3% in June even though they sit 27.9% below year-ago levels, complicating the White House narrative.　　The Claim　　Trump made the pledge in a post on Truth Social, writing:　　We will continue to bring Prices DOWN, just like Oil, Gas, Eggs, and Prescription Drugs, all of which are dropping FAST after the disaster we inherited from Sleepy Joe Biden.　　Image source: Truth Social　　The message extends a weeks-long pressure campaign because on June 30, the president told U.S. fuel retailers to cut pump prices “immediately,” setting a target of around $2.50 a gallon. Moreover, his administration publicized grocery-chain moves such as Giant Eagles decision to cut prices on more than 300 frequently purchased products by an average of 10% through Labor Day.　　What the June Numbers Show　　The governments own data gives the claim meaningful, if imperfect, backing. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.4% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, the largest one-month decline since April 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over

07-20Industry

Circle (CRCL) Stock Plunges 17.5% Amid Executive Sale and New Stablecoin Rival

Key HighlightsCircles President Heath Tarbert divested $30.77 million in CRCL tokens through 10 separate transactions beginning in June 2025, with zero buy orders recorded.CRCL shares plummeted 17.5% to $62.63, marking a dramatic decline from the post-IPO high of approximately $260.The Open USD stablecoin debuted with support from major players including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, BlackRock, BNY, and Coinbase, intensifying competitive threats to Circles core business.Mizuho analysts reduced Circle‘s price target to $50, pointing to margin concerns stemming from Open USD’s profit-sharing framework.On July 10, Circle secured OCC authorization to launch Circle National Trust, focused on digital asset custody services.　　According to Form 4 regulatory filings dated July 20, 2026, Circles President Heath Tarbert has liquidated $30.77 million in CRCL tokens through 10 separate transactions starting in June 2025. The filings show no corresponding purchase activity during this timeframe.　　Circle President Heath Tarbert Sold About $30.8 Million of CRCL Shares Since June 2025　　SEC Form 4 filings show that Circle President and former CFTC Chair Heath Tarbert has sold CRCL shares 10 times since June 2025, totaling about $30.77 million. The transactions mainly involved… pic.twitter.com/Rupr1y4eDQ　　— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) July 20, 2026　　These divestments coincide with CRCL‘s current trading price hovering around $62.63, representing a substantial retreat

07-20Industry

Two Main Problems for Bitcoin Named by Billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya

Venture capitalist and early Bitcoin investor Chamath Palihapitiya has identified the two main challenges that Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are facing right now.　　First, he argued that “marginal liquidity” is flowing into prediction markets and equities rather than cryptocurrencies.　　Second, he claimed that the energy used for Bitcoin mining could generate “10–20x” more value if redirected toward powering AI infrastructure and tokens.　　Shiba Inu (SHIB), Solana (SOL), Hyperliquid (HYPE) and XRP Price Analysis for July 20: Fresh Week Without Fresh Liquidity　　Ethereum Developer Consensys Denies User Data Was Compromised　　“These changes feel structural, but I could be wrong,” he wrote.　　It is worth noting that Palihapitiya has long been one of Silicon Valleys most prominent Bitcoin supporters. The billionaire began buying Bitcoin around 2012. Back then, the cryptocurrency was changing hands at roughly $80 per coin.　　Pushback from crypto community　　His latest comments sparked a heated debate across the crypto community with hundreds of comments on X.　　Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong called the observations “interesting” but argued the first issue is likely temporary. AI‘s growing demand for computing resources could prove more durable, but Bitcoin’s security model is designed to adapt with mining difficulty adjustments.　　You Might Also Like　　Investor Fred Krueger has argued that speculative capital naturally rotates

07-20Industry

Standard Chartered backed Anchorpoint set to launch HKDAP stablecoin: report

Standard Chartered-backed Anchorpoint has prepared to launch its Hong Kong dollar stablecoin HKDAP, with a joint announcement expected before the end of July, according to local media.　　SummaryStandard Chartered and Anchorpoint are expected to announce the launch of the Hong Kong dollar stablecoin HKDAP within the next two weeks, according to local media.HKDAP received one of Hong Kongs first stablecoin issuer licenses in April and will be backed one to one by Hong Kong dollar reserves.The stablecoin completed a successful Ethereum mainnet transfer test in May ahead of its planned public rollout.　　According to local media citing market sources, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) and Anchorpoint Financial Technology are expected to announce the rollout of HKDAP, a Hong Kong dollar-pegged stablecoin, within the next two weeks.　　The report said the launch will come through Anchorpoint, one of the first two companies to receive a stablecoin issuer license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) in April.　　If confirmed, the announcement would move the project from regulatory approval into public issuance after months of technical preparation under Hong Kongs stablecoin framework.　　HKDAP moves toward issuance　　Anchorpoint is a joint venture backed by Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), HKT and Animoca Brands. When the HKMA granted its first

07-20Industry

US Dollar: Growth data guide Fed expectations – BNY

BNY‘s Geoff Yu notes that softer United States (US) inflation has eased pressure for a more hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) path, shifting focus to S&P Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data for confirmation that growth remains resilient. With the Fed in a communications blackout, markets are expected to rely on activity indicators to balance cooling inflation against still-firm economic momentum for the Dollar and risk assets.　　Cooling inflation and key PMI signals　　“Last week‘s softer-than-expected core CPI reinforced the view that U.S. inflation is cooling at the margin, easing some of the pressure on markets to price a more hawkish Fed path. Fed communication was active before the blackout period, but the speakers did not materially shift the policy backdrop. The BoC’s decision to hold rates steady kept the Canadian policy outlook on pause as well.”　　“With the Fed now in a communications blackout after last weeks speaker-heavy schedule, there is limited scope for policy repricing from central bank commentary alone.”　　“The most important data point this week is likely the U.S. PMI suite – not because it will supersede inflation in market importance, but because it offers a timely read on whether activity is holding up alongside easing price pressures. A Manufacturing PMI print

07-20Industry

XRP Price Prediction: Pinned at the Pivot — Breakdown to $1.05 or Short-Squeeze to $1.12？

Market Context: Why XRP is Moving Now　　XRP at $1.09 tells you everything about where this market stands — and none of it is particularly inspiring. The token has barely moved, shedding less than 1% over 24 hours within a suffocating $1.08–$1.11 range. In a coin notorious for double-digit daily swings, that kind of compression is not calm — its a coil. The real context here is structural: the 200-day SMA sits at $1.42, a full 30% above spot. XRP is not consolidating near highs. It is grinding sideways well below its long-term average, which means any bounce is a counter-trend move until proven otherwise.　　The macro narrative that drove XRP‘s 2025 euphoria — regulatory clarity, ETF optimism, Ripple’s expanding institutional partnerships — has not disappeared, but the market‘s willingness to price it in has clearly faded. Earlier this year, Blockchain.news flagged that despite the prevailing technical weakness, XRP was still being targeted at $4.49 by December 2026. That gap between analyst ambition and current price action is a 300%+ ask from here. Markets don’t move on hope alone — they need fresh catalysts, and right now the tape is not showing one.　　Indicator Alignment: Do the Technicals Support or Contradict the Current

07-20Industry

Equities: AI and geopolitics pressure global stocks – Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank strategists highlight that rising Oil and gas prices, escalating US–Iran tensions and renewed doubts over the AI (Artificial intelligence) trade weighed on global equities. Chipmakers led declines, pushing the Philly semiconductor index into a bear market, while the S&P 500 and Nikkei also fell. European equities proved more resilient, and futures are modestly higher this morning despite ongoing geopolitical risks.　　Chip-led selloff and energy shock weigh　　“Geopolitical fears also interacted with fresh concerns around the AI trade, which meant that equities took a hit around the world. That was particularly clear for chip stocks, with the Philly semiconductor index down -9.97% last week (-1.63% Friday), marking its biggest weekly decline since the week of the Liberation Day tariff announcements last year.”　　“Moreover, that meant the index moved into a bear market, having now shed -20.23% since its closing peak back on June 22. In turn, that coincided with other equity declines, with the S&P 500 down -1.55% (-1.01% Friday), and Japans Nikkei also had its biggest decline since the week of Liberation Day, falling -6.44%.”　　“However, European equities were relatively resilient, with the STOXX 600 up +0.07% over the week (-0.34% Friday).”　　“In response, this morning Brent is up +2.45% to $90.26/bbl after

07-20Industry

Hyperliquid Opens HIP-4 Prediction Markets to Anyone With 500k HYPE

Hyperliquid has announced a big update wherein the platform is letting anyone build prediction markets on its exchange, as long as they stake 500,000 HYPE first. This is the permissionless phase of HIP-4, the outcome markets upgrade that went live on mainnet on May 2. Phase 1 of HIP-4 included a curated set of markets that the team approved one by one. The permissionless phase, where any builder meeting the staking requirement deploys without approval, is the next step. Builders deploy event contracts into the same slot that runs a builder-deployed DEX, and the stake is slashable and burned if validators catch a builder manipulating the oracle or pushing an invalid settlement. For now, Hyperliquid said permissionless outcome markets will begin rolling out in an upgrade on testnet first and then mainnet once its properly battle-tested.　　Until now the team decided which outcome markets existed. The first was a daily Bitcoin price binary run by Outcomexyz. With this update, builders can pick the events, run the oracle and keep up to half the trading fees their markets generate. Hyperliquid supplies the matching engine and its existing liquidity.　　Onchain Settlement Skips the Oracle Fight　　HIP-4 settles onchain against objective sources through Hyperliquid‘s validator set.

07-20Industry

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