USDT wins payments, USDC wins DeFi as stablecoins diverge: Dune

The world‘s biggest stablecoins are increasingly becoming chain-specific financial products, with Tether’s USDt (USDT) and Circles USDC (USDC) serving distinct roles across the crypto ecosystem rather than competing head-on.  Dune‘s Digital Asset Brief found that USDT overwhelmingly dominates onchain payments. During the first half of 2026, the biggest stablecoin settled about $95 billion in identified commerce payments, compared with $14 billion for second-biggest USDC. It also accounted for roughly 92% of the $48 billion in business-to-business payment volume. On Tron, USDT’s largest network, around 93% of the tokens supply is held in ordinary wallets rather than on exchanges, underscoring its role as a payment and remittance asset.  USDC, meanwhile, has established itself as the dominant stablecoin in decentralized finance. USDC on Base processed roughly $2.6 trillion in transfer volume in June, the highest of any token-chain pair, while on Ethereum, that stablecoin handled another $1.6 trillion.  USDC on Base recorded daily velocity of about 20 times its circulating supply in June, reflecting its extensive use in trading and DeFi. Source: Dune  The findings suggest the traditional USDT-versus-USDC narrative is becoming less useful. Instead, each stablecoin is carving out its own niche, with USDT dominating payments and USDC underpinning much of cryptos trading and DeFi

07-08انڈسٹری

Bitcoin Reclaims $64K After $62.8K Dip as $108M in Short Liquidations Fuel Rebound

Bitcoin reclaimed the $64,000 mark following a brief flash crash to $62,800, bringing its total July gains to nearly 10%.  Key TakeawaysBitcoin reclaimed $64,000 on Tuesday, rallying past a brief flash crash to $62,800.Market volatility sparked $145 million in liquidations, wiping out $108 million in short positions.Bitfinex analysts predict future Bitcoin recovery depends tightly on stronger exchange-traded fund inflows.  Analysts Eye a Potential Floor  Bitcoin reclaimed $64,000 on Tuesday, just hours after it dipped to $62,800, maintaining its July upward momentum. Market data shows the cryptocurrency initially breached the $64,000 mark late Monday afternoon, threatening to test $64,700. Shortly after hitting a 24-hour peak of $64,657, bitcoin began a downtrend that nearly erased the previous days gains.  Just after midnight, the trend reversed as the cryptocurrency climbed back above $63,000. It held above that threshold until 10:30 a.m., when a brief flash crash dragged it back to $62,800. Volatility was on display again as it raced back to $64,140, representing a 24-hour gain of 0.5% at the time of writing.  Exactly seven days into July, bitcoin has risen by nearly 10%, a remarkable turnaround for an asset that recorded its second-worst June on record. The marginal increase lifted its market capitalization to $1.28 trillion, helping

07-08انڈسٹری

SBI Holdings is sole investor in crypto platform EDX Markets' $76 million Series C

Quick TakeInstitutional crypto platform EDX Markets has closed a $76 million Series C funding round, with Japans SBI Holdings as the sole investor, CEO Tony Acuña-Rohter told The Block.The funding will help EDX expand its trading, clearing, and settlement capabilities as it targets growing institutional demand, particularly from large banks.  Institutional crypto platform EDX Markets has closed a $76 million Series C funding round, with Japans SBI Holdings as the sole investor, CEO Tony Acuña-Rohter told The Block.  This was an equity round, Acuña-Rohter said, but he declined to disclose its terms or EDXs valuation. Notably, this is the first time EDX has disclosed the size of one of its funding rounds. Its previous two rounds were undisclosed but included backers such as Charles Schwab, Citadel Securities, Fidelity Investments, Sequoia Capital and Paradigm. Acuña-Rohter also declined to comment on those earlier rounds, saying the details are confidential.  Founded in 2022, EDX operates an institutional-only crypto trading venue with a central clearinghouse, aiming to bring traditional market structure to digital asset trading.  The new funding will help EDX expand its trading, clearing and settlement capabilities, accelerate product development and scale its global operations, Acuña-Rohter said. The firm is focused on serving the next wave of

07-08انڈسٹری

MiCA-compliant euro stablecoins grew 128% ahead of July 1 deadline, says Decta

The market capitalization of compliant euro stablecoins grew 128% in the year leading up to the end of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) transition period, according to payments infrastructure firm Decta.  Decta said in a Sunday report that the combined market cap of eight MiCA-compliant euro stablecoins rose to $673.9 million on June 28, 2026, from $295.6 million on June 30, 2025. Trading volume rose 43.1% to $67.3 million from $47 million. The number of MiCA-compliant euro stablecoins tracked in the report also rose to eight from five over the period.  Decta tracked eight euro stablecoins that were actively issuing tokens and had market capitalization and trading volume during the study period. By contrast, the European Securities and Markets Authority interim MiCA register lists a broader set, including tokens that may not meet Dectas activity criteria.  The report found that euro-denominated stablecoins are growing under MiCA but from a small base in a market still dominated by dollar-backed tokens. CoinGecko data shows US dollar-pegged stablecoins at about $300 billion in market capitalization. The combined market capitalization of Dectas eight actively traded, MiCA-compliant euro stablecoins was 0.22% of the dollar stablecoin market.  From July 1, firms offering crypto-asset services in the European Union generally

07-08انڈسٹری

1kx, Blockchain Capital back $7.5 million KOR Protocol Series A at $100 million valuation

Quick TakeKOR Protocol is building an onchain clearinghouse that helps register and route creative works and provide programmable payments to creators and rights holders when licensed work is used.1kx and Blockchain Capital were named investors in the $7.5 million Series A at a $100 million valuation.  Entertainment-focused KOR Protocol has raised a $7.5 million Series A funding round with participation from 1kx, Blockchain Capital, and others at a $100 million valuation, according to an announcement shared with The Block.  KOR Protocol describes itself as an onchain creative asset clearinghouse built on Coinbases Layer 2 blockchain that provides infrastructure to help verify, route and settle creative works, like music and movies.  By registering these assets onchain, KOR argues they can be better matched “with the right labels, agencies, MCNs, brands, curators and platforms.” Moreover, using stablecoins like USDC can help with payments, including “programmable splits across the people and partners involved.”  “As both an artist and an operator, I know how difficult it is to translate strong work and audience momentum into distribution, partnerships, and sustainable revenue,” Ritty Quin, an electronic music producer and CEO of KOR, said. “KOR is building the system that connects those pieces by helping talent get recognized earlier, reach the

07-07انڈسٹری

Hyperliquid Stays Near All-Time High, Even as Bitcoin ETFs Lose $6.5 Billion

Even as billions of dollars exit major crypto investment products, Hyperliquids HYPE token has remained resilient despite heavy withdrawals from U.S. spot bitcoin and ethereum ETFs, according to Coinshares.  Key TakeawaysU.S. spot bitcoin ETFs have recorded eight consecutive weeks of outflows, with more than $6.5 billion leaving since May, while HYPE has remained resilient.Three U.S. spot HYPE ETFs give investors brokerage-accessible exposure to Hyperliquids native token.Coinshares says Hyperliquids tokenomics are resonating with investors as platform fees support systematic HYPE buybacks.  Why Is Hyperliquid Defying Broader Crypto Market Weakness?  Cryptocurrency markets have been under sustained pressure from weak investment flows in recent weeks. Luke Nolan, senior research associate at Coinshares, said in a statement to Bitcoin.com News that crypto has received “very little help from flows recently,” highlighting continued pressure across major digital asset investment products.  He explained that U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs have recorded eight straight weeks of outflows, the longest streak since launch. More than $6.5 billion has exited those funds since May, while ethereum ETFs have also weakened during the same period. Strategy also sold 3,588 BTC during the week to fund preferred stock distributions.  Despite those headwinds, Hyperliquid has remained resilient, he described, adding:  “Against these tough market conditions, Hyperliquid (HYPE) continues to

07-07انڈسٹری

Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone Place BONK on Delisting Watchlist: What It Means

South Korea‘s three largest cryptocurrency exchanges — Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone — have simultaneously placed Bonk ($BONK), a Solana-based meme coin, on their delisting watchlists. The coordinated action signals heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential removal of the token from trading platforms in one of the world’s most active crypto markets.  Coordinated Watchlist Designation  On March 28, 2025, each exchange published separate notices announcing the designation. While the exact reasons vary slightly by platform, common factors include concerns over the project‘s transparency, token distribution, and compliance with South Korea’s Virtual Asset User Protection Act. The act requires exchanges to conduct regular reviews of listed assets, particularly regarding disclosure of project fundamentals and risk of market manipulation.  Upbit cited insufficient disclosure of key project information and a high concentration of token supply among a small number of wallets. Bithumb pointed to the projects failure to meet updated listing maintenance standards, while Coinone flagged abnormal trading patterns and a lack of responsive communication from the $BONK development team.  Implications for Traders and the Market  For holders of $BONK on these platforms, the watchlist status is a warning. Exchanges typically give a grace period — often 30 days — during which investors can withdraw or trade their holdings before

07-07

Whales Open $148 Million in Leveraged Longs as Bitcoin Reclaims $64K After Strategy's 3,588 BTC Sale

Three whale wallets opened nearly $149 million in leveraged bitcoin and ether longs as BTC climbed back above $64,000, onchain tracker Lookonchain reported, just a day after Strategy disclosed its $216 million sale.  Key TakeawaysLookonchain tracked 3 whales opening $148.7M in longs, including a 40x position on 1,000 BTC worth $63.8M.Bitcoin rebounded to $64,312 earlier today after falling to $61,246 on Strategys $216 million sale disclosure.Bernstein said BTCs 54% drawdown remains far milder than the 75%-90% declines of past cycle bottoms.  Big Money Leans Long Into the Fear  While much of the market was still digesting the first major bitcoin sale by Strategy Inc. (Nasdaq: MSTR), a handful of deep-pocketed traders were positioning for a bounce. Onchain analytics firm Lookonchain flagged the activity on Tuesday, writing:  “Despite Strategy selling BTC, whales still seem bullish on the market.”  “Despite Strategy selling BTC, whales still seem bullish on the market.”  The firm identified three wallets making outsized bets. A wallet tagged 0x15a4 opened a 40x leveraged long on 1,000 BTC worth $63.8 million. A second address, 0x7fba, went 10x long on 30,627 ether ( ETH) valued at $54.9 million, while a third, 0xe069, opened a 20x long on 470.4 BTC worth $30 million. Together, the three positions total

07-07انڈسٹری

Strategy‘s Bitcoin sale may give BTC a ’durable bottom, Grayscale says

Strategys $216 million Bitcoin sale on Monday should be seen as a positive development for the price of Bitcoin and as a move that renews confidence in STRC, according to analysts.  The sale of 3,588 BTC to fund preferred stock dividend payments and replenish cash has boosted Strategys dollar reserves to cover 17 months of dividend payments. “The rebound in STRC suggests investors are responding positively to this decision,” Grayscale Research said Monday.  Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue Research Institute, told Cointelegraph that Strategys recent sale was a “smart, stabilizing move that actually strengthens the setup for Bitcoin.”  Zach Pandl, Grayscale‘s head of research, said Strategy’s actions should “restore market confidence” in its financing structure, and may help Bitcoin‘s price “find a more durable bottom,” as it relieves the pressure of further BTC sales from Saylor’s company.  Strategy‘s announcement that it sold Bitcoin caused the asset to drop 2.4% in a matter of hours. However, both Bitcoin and Strategy’s yield-bearing STRC product rebounded soon after, suggesting that investor concern was short-lived.  Restoring market confidence  There is nothing wrong with Strategys balance sheet, and the company clearly has sufficient financial resources to service its debt and dividend obligations, Pandl said.  “Nevertheless, shifting market conditions created uncertainty

07-07انڈسٹری

Strategy sells $216M Bitcoin, Bollinger bullish on BTC: Hodler's Digest, June 29-July 6, 2026

Strategy sells 3,588 Bitcoin for $216M to fund dividends  Michael Saylors Strategy sold 3,588 Bitcoin (BTC) to fund preferred stock dividend payments and replenish its cash reserves.  Strategy sold the Bitcoin for $216 million, reducing its total holdings to 843,775 Bitcoin, according to a Monday 8-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.  This included 1,363 Bitcoin sold at an average price of $59,256 between last Monday and Tuesday, and 2,225 Bitcoin sold at an average price of $60,773 between Wednesday and Sunday.  Strategy disclosed the sale of 32 Bitcoin in early June, as its first reported Bitcoin sale since the 2022 tax-loss transaction.  Before Strategy disclosed its latest Bitcoin sale, Bernstein said the company was unlikely to be forced to sell its holdings, citing its liquidity position and cash reserve coverage.  Bernsteins report said Strategy had 17 months of cash to cover dividend obligations and interest payments. It added that the company remained a net buyer of Bitcoin and served as a strong “balancing force” in a market where leading US Bitcoin miners are net sellers due to their pivot to AI.  Donald Trump says ‘nothing wrong’ with $1.4B crypto windfall while in office  US President Donald Trump has responded to criticism of his 2025 financial

07-07انڈسٹری
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