Ether Archives

3rd July 2025

ETH Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Lifts S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to Record Highs

Ether (ETH) traded around $2,584.90 on July 3, registering a 0.55% gain over the past 24 hours as risk assets responded positively to robust U.S. labor market data, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model. The broader crypto market, as gauged by the CoinDesk 20 Index (CD20), was up 0.08% during the same period.

According to a report published by CNBC, the latest nonfarm payrolls report showed 147,000 jobs were added in June, beating expectations of 110,000 and exceeding the upwardly revised 144,000 from May. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, defying forecasts for a rise to 4.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The strong data sent U.S. equities surging to fresh all-time highs, with the S&P 500 closing at 6,279.35 and the Nasdaq Composite finishing at 20,601.10 — both up more than 0.8% on the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 344 points to settle at 44,828.53.

However, the strength of the labor market complicated the outlook for monetary policy. It now seems highly unlikely that the Fed will lower rates at its next meeting and traders are no longer even certain that there will be any rate cuts in the second half of this year.

Despite this, ether remained resilient, with traders encouraged by the broader risk-on sentiment that lifted crypto alongside equities.

Technical Analysis Highlights

ETH traded within a $71.20 range between $2,558.89 and $2,629.88 over the July 2 18:00 to July 3 17:00 window.
A breakout during the 13:00 UTC hour on July 3 pushed price to $2,625.10, the session high, on volume of 464,365 ETH.
A pullback followed during the 15:00 hour with ETH touching $2,569.18 before finding solid support.
The 17:16 UTC candle saw a sharp volume spike (5,308 ETH), lifting price to $2,580.75 before brief consolidation.
In the final hour from 16:59 to 17:58 UTC, ETH gained $4.93 (0.19%), closing near $2,584 with a bullish structure of higher lows.
Resistance remains near $2,630, with momentum favoring a potential retest if macro conditions remain supportive.

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

2nd July 2025

Ethereum Network Awakens—Massive On-Chain Moves Signal What’s Coming

Ethereum has stayed under the radar as Bitcoin grabs headlines. But new data shows long‑term holders have quietly built up a huge stash of ETH. This might set the stage for a big move when markets heat up.

According to on‑chain trackers, close to 30 million ETH is now sitting in wallets that have never spent a single coin. These so‑called accumulation addresses only take in Ethereum and don’t send any out.

That’s an all‑time high for this group of holders. They’ve piled in even though Ether is trading far below its peak. Many of these investors seem to believe a rally is coming.

$ETH on-chain activity is spiking.

The sleeping giant is about to wake up! pic.twitter.com/1Pq6L0g5hH

— Crypto Rover (@rovercrc) June 28, 2025

Rising Hoards Signal Confidence

The pace of ETH going into cold wallets has shot up sharply over the past few months. It’s a bigger build‑up than in past cycles. If history is any guide, that sort of move usually precedes a price surge.

Long‑term holders often buy early and hold tight before a big run. This kind of confidence from big players can spark wider interest.

Network Traffic Hits Peak

Based on reports, daily transactions on Ethereum just topped 1,500,000. That’s the most since early 2023. A rise in on‑chain transfers often points to more users, more apps and more trading.

When people send coins or use smart contracts, they fuel network fees and show real demand. High activity can pull in more traders looking to catch the next wave.

Technical Barriers Remain

ETH is trading near $2,460 and it hasn’t cleared two key hurdles yet. The 50‑day moving average sits just above price, as does the 200‑day line. Those are tough barriers for any asset.

Momentum tools aren’t screaming “buy” yet, either. The RSI sits around 49 and the MACD has flattened out after a stretch of weak readings. On‑balance volume is low, which means big buyers are still cautious.

What Comes Next For ETH?

Even with strong on‑chain signs, price needs to break past $2,600 before bulls can charge ahead. If Ethereum can push through that level, the road to $3,000 would look clear.

Traders will watch for volume spikes and a steady move above those moving averages. If it fails, the big holders could be stuck on the sidelines, holding bags that lose value.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

1st July 2025

Germany’s Public Savings Bank Network Sparkassen to Offer Bitcoin Trading to Clients: Report

Sparkassen, a group of savings banks operating across Germany since the first established in Hamburg in 1778, has decided to introduce cryptocurrency trading services for their customers, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The group will enable private clients to trade cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH), directly through their mobile banking apps via the group's securities platform, DekaBank, with the facility expected to go live by summer 2026.

The news comes months after DekaBank introduced crypto trading and custody services for institutional clients and represents the growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional banking systems.

The German Savings Bank Association (DSGV) reportedly backed the decision to enable crypto trading, citing growing demand and the prevalence of legal framework under the so-called European MiCAR Regulation.

Earlier this year, Matthias Diessl, president of the Savings Banks in Bavaria, said in a Bloomberg interview that savings banks should offer customers the opportunity to trade cryptocurrencies, deviating from a three-year-old committee recommendation cautioning against enabling crypto trading.

That said, despite warming up to the idea, DGSV still considers digital assets as highly speculative investments, according to Bloomberg.

1st July 2025

Germany’s Public Savings Bank Network Sparkassen to Offer Bitcoin Trading to Clients: Report

That said, despite warming up to the idea, DGSV still considers digital assets as highly speculative investments, according to Bloomberg.

30th June 2025

ETH Price Surges as $2.9B Inflows, EthCC, and Robinhood’s L2 Fuel Bullish Sentiment

Ether (ETH) 3.5% in the past 24 hours to $2,519 as of 18:59 UTC on June 30, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model, supported by continued institutional demand, network upgrades, and major retail platform integrations.

Institutional interest remains robust, with CoinShares reporting $429 million in net inflows into ether investment products over the past week and nearly $2.9 billion year-to-date. This trend has coincided with a declining ETH supply on exchanges and rising staking levels, with over 35 million ETH —a round 28% of the total supply — now locked in proof-of-stake contracts. Market analysts suggest that these factors are reducing liquid supply and bolstering ether's long-term investment thesis.

Robinhood announced on Monday that it is developing its own Layer-2 blockchain using Arbitrum’s rollup infrastructure. The network is not yet live, but the initiative will eventually support Ethereum staking, tokenized stock trading, and perpetual crypto futures. Although the L2 is under development, the decision to build it on Ethereum’s rollup ecosystem is seen as a long-term vote of confidence in Ethereum’s scalability roadmap.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has also introduced a new digital identity framework using zero-knowledge proofs. This system allows users to verify traits or credentials without revealing private data and is designed to help Web3 apps incorporate privacy-preserving identity systems. Analysts view this as a key step toward wider adoption of decentralized applications requiring sensitive user authentication.

Meanwhile, the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) kicked off in Cannes, France, gathering more than 6,400 attendees and 500 speakers. The event showcases Ethereum’s ongoing developer momentum through presentations on new tools, scaling strategies, and protocol improvements.

Despite the positive momentum, ETH remains just below its 200-day moving average, suggesting technical barriers still exist. However, the confluence of inflows, developer progress, and scaling plans continues to support a constructive outlook.

Technical Analysis Highlights

Ether traded between $2,438.50 and $2,523 from June 29 19:00 to June 30 18:00, marking a 3.47% range.
The largest spike occurred during the 22:00–23:00 UTC window on June 29, when ETH surged 2.9% on volume of 368,292 ETH, briefly pushing through the $2,500 barrier.
On June 30 at 15:00 UTC, ETH found strong support around $2,438 on above-average volume, confirming a bullish floor.
A local high of $2,523 was reached earlier in the day, establishing resistance just above the psychological $2,500 level.
During the final hour from 18:00 to 18:59 UTC on June 30, ETH retraced from an intraday peak of $2,499.19 to close at $2,487.19.
A sharp upward move between 18:20–18:21 saw ETH climb 1.6% on 6,318 ETH volume, stalling near $2,499.
As of 20:23 UTC on June 30, ETH traded at $2,519, up 3.49% in 24 hours, signaling renewed bullish momentum into the Asia open.

28th June 2025

Ethereum Reclaims $2,500 In Squeeze-Driven Rally – But Can It Hold?

Ethereum (ETH) has recorded strong gains over the past two weeks, rising from $2,111 on June 12 to $2,515 on June 25, reigniting hopes for a sustained bullish rally that could push the digital asset beyond the crucial $3,000 level.

Ethereum Rally Marked By Shift In Dynamics

According to a recent CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor Amr Taha, Ethereum’s latest rally has been accompanied by a notable shift in market dynamics – including a flip to positive funding rates, a potential short squeeze, and a rise in ETH inflows to Binance crypto exchange.

Recent data from Binance reveals a significant shift in ETH funding rates from negative to positive. Positive funding rates typically indicate that traders are opening or holding leveraged long positions, reflecting expectations of further upside.

cq1

However, rising funding rates may also raise the risk of a short-term price pullback if long positions become overextended. Data from CoinGlass shows that 68.15% of liquidations over the past 24 hours were long positions – highlighting this risk.

Taha also emphasized the role of a short squeeze in Ethereum’s recent price surge and the increase in funding rates. As ETH’s price climbed, it retested the previous short-squeeze zone around $2,500. He explained:

In that earlier event, short positions were forcibly closed by initiating aggressive market buy orders to cover their exposure, triggering a cascading effect known as a short squeeze. This dynamic occurs when traders who had bet against ETH (shorts) are forced to close their positions by aggressively buying back the asset to limit losses.

Meanwhile, ETH inflows to Binance have also spiked. On-chain exchange data suggests that 177,000 ETH was deposited into Binance over a three-day period – an unusually high volume.

Such a surge typically signals increased selling pressure or large-scale repositioning by major holders. Large transfers of ETH to exchanges often precede either potential sell-offs or liquidity provisioning.

In conclusion, Taha noted that while a short-term correction may be likely, ETH’s breakout above $2,500 underscores the aggressive speculative activity driving its recent price action. Traders are advised to closely monitor funding rates and exchange flows for signs of an impending retracement.

ETH Bulls Take The Charge

Recent technical analysis suggests ETH may be gearing up for a breakout above the $2,800 resistance level. The asset also recently formed a golden cross on the daily chart, fuelling speculation that a new all-time high (ATH) could be within reach.

That said, ETH is not entirely in the clear. Technical analyst Crypto Wave recently predicted that the cryptocurrency may revisit lower levels in the $1,700 to $1,950 range. At press time, ETH trades at $2,429, down 0.4% over the past 24 hours.

ethereum

27th June 2025

XRP, Solana Lead Profit-Taking Among Crypto Majors Even as Bullish Mood Persists

Bitcoin BTC traded around $107,000 on Friday as crypto markets took a breather, with investors booking profits in majors like XRP XRP and Solana’s SOL SOL despite strong macro tailwinds.

XRP dropped over 4% to reverse gains from earlier in the week, while Solana slid 3% to retest the $140 support level. BNB Chain’s BNB BNB, dogecoin DOGE, Cardano’s ADA ADA and ether ETH showed losses below 2%.

The slight pullback follows a generally positive week for crypto majors, driven by cooling inflation indicators, diminishing geopolitical risks, and renewed optimism surrounding crypto policy frameworks in Asia.

“We think that conditions are ripe for Bitcoin to surpass its previous all-time high of about $112,000,” said Jeff Mei, chief operating officer at crypto exchange BTSE, said in a Telegram message to CoinDesk.

“Especially given that the Iran-Israel conflict seems to be over for the time being.”“Easing inflation fears and the likelihood of tariffs being watered down are compounding pressure on Fed Chairman Powell and he will likely either cut rates soon or be replaced earlier than expected, both of which would propel markets upwards,”Mei added.

The remarks come as both traditional and crypto markets digest signs of softening macro stress. U.S. inflation data last week showed continued deceleration.

Risk appetite across markets has rebounded quickly. The S&P 500 hit a new high this week, and crypto ETF inflows remain firmly positive — a trend market watchers see as a key indicator of growing institutional participation.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly considering reducing proposed trade tariffs to ease pressure on U.S. businesses, a move that could lower inflation and prompt the Federal Reserve to consider rate cuts sooner than expected.

“As bitcoin hovers around $107K due to geopolitical uncertainty, institutions and investors keep a bullish perspective as crypto ETF inflows remain positive,” said Eugene Cheung, chief commercial officer of OSL, in a message to CoinDesk.

“An update further drives this to Hong Kong's regulations on digital assets under its Policy Statement 2.0, which could enable the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and implement licensing for stablecoins. We hold an optimistic outlook as regulators continue to develop approachable policies for the crypto industry,” Cheung said.

Hong Kong’s Policy Statement 2.0, released earlier this week, builds on its ambition to become Asia’s digital asset hub.

The framework lays out clearer paths for stablecoin issuers, tokenization firms, and crypto trading platforms to operate within a licensed regime, an approach that contrasts sharply with the U.S.' fragmented regulatory stance.

26th June 2025

Bitcoin Nears $108K as Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise; Traders Eye Ether, Solana, Cardano

Bitcoin BTC is back near $108,000, marking a full recovery from last week’s dip to six figures driven by Middle east tensions, as macro signals turn risk-on and crypto bulls regain technical footing.

The market is now betting on a convergence of two trends: dovish Fed commentary and retail’s accelerating rotation into digital assets, traders say.

“Crypto will continue its bullish trend,” said Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research. “Institutional purchases are picking up, and Jerome Powell’s comments hinting at rate cuts have flipped investor sentiment quickly.”

Powell this week said rate adjustments remain on the table, contingent on successful trade deals and softening inflation, words that markets took as code for a late-2025 pivot.

At press time, bitcoin was trading over $107,800, up 1.6% in the last 24 hours. Ether ETH is holding at $2,480 with a 1.8% gain. Solana’s SOL SOL, dogecoin DOGE, XRP XRP and BNB Chain’s BNB BNB showed gains under 1%, but could be next to move if BTC and ETH prices further recover.

FxPro’s Alex Kuptsikevich said that the overall market capitalization had previously dipped below its 200-day moving average and rebounded sharply, “confirming that level as new support.”

Bitcoin also reclaimed its 50-day average, signaling that momentum may accelerate if sentiment holds, he noted, adding that BTC remains about 5% below its recent highs and is lagging behind traditional tech benchmarks, such as the Nasdaq 100, which has just hit fresh all-time highs.

“If crypto-related equities maintain this pace, they may soon catch up with traditional finance,” he said.

Meanwhile, underlying demand is strengthening. eToro data shows U.S. retail investors are increasing crypto exposure amid a weakening dollar and rising global uncertainty, with 58% reportedly rebalancing their portfolios to favor digital assets.

According to CoinShares, 89% of current holders plan to increase crypto investments in 2025, while 75% of respondents are actively exploring entry points to the market.

25th June 2025

Crypto Trader Sees Bitcoin Hitting $160K by Year-End; ETH, SOL, ADA to Gain on Middle East Truce

Bitcoin BTC is back above $106,000 after dipping below five figures earlier this week, as global markets steadied on signs that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is holding.

Meanwhile, Ether ETH traded at $2,400, up 0.5% on the day, approaching resistance near $2,450. Dogecoin DOGE hovered at 16 cents after a minor 0.6% rise, while Solana’s SOL SOL dipped to $145, down 0.2%. Cardano’s ADA ADA slid nearly 1.3% to 58 cents after briefly testing the 60 cents level earlier in the week.

Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research, said BTC’s inability to stabilize immediately after its initial drop below $99,000 signaled lingering caution, even as ETF inflows — now totaling $46 billion — continue to provide structural support.

“Its potential as a safe-haven shines through, but tempered risk appetite delays recovery,” Lee said.

Despite this, Lee sees bitcoin hitting $110,000–$115,000 by Q3 and potentially $130,000–$160,000 by year-end. Lee expects ether to be in the $2,600–$2,800 in the near term and as high as $5,500 longer term.

The rebound comes amid a broader shift in risk sentiment. U.S. equity futures edged higher on Wednesday, building on the Nasdaq 100’s record close the previous session, while Asian stocks extended their two-day rally.

Treasuries firmed and the dollar steadied after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said “many paths are possible” for monetary policy, reinforcing bets on interest rate cuts as consumer confidence weakens.

Bitcoin's recovery after its weekend fall has reignited debate over whether it’s maturing into a true safe-haven asset or simply responding to macro tailwinds and ETF-driven flows.

“Bitcoin’s status as a safe-haven asset is still taking shape,” said Gadi Chait, head of investment at Xapo Bank. “Its V‑shaped recovery back above $105K in under 48 hours after falling into the nineties highlights its growing liquidity and integration into mainstream portfolios.”

Chait added that while geopolitical shocks often spark a flight to cash, recent cycles show that institutional bids now help shallow the dips and accelerate rebounds.

24th June 2025

SharpLink Gaming Boosts Ethereum Treasury to 188,478 ETH With $30M Purchase

SharpLink Gaming (SBET), a publicly-listed gaming tech company with a crypto strategy focused on ether ETH, said Tuesday it increased its treasury holdings of the second-largest cryptocurrency to 188,478 ETH.

The Minneapolis-based firm bought 12,207 ETH for some $30.7 million between June 16 and June 20 at an average price of $2,513 per coin, according to a press release.

To fund the purchase, SharpLink raised $27.7 million in net proceeds through its at-the-market (ATM) offering, selling over 2.5 million shares.

SharpLink in one of the growing group of public companies that recently pivoted to add cryptocurrencies to their balance sheets, following the playbook of Michael Saylor's bitcoin-focused Strategy (MSTR).

The latest move follows a $450 million fundraising round earlier this month through a private round from a wide range of investors, including ConsenSys, Galaxy and Pantera Capital, to buy ETH. Ethereum co-founder and ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin also joined the firm as board chairman. The firm now claims the bragging right of being the largest publicly traded holder of ether globally with some $470 million in ETH at current prices.

Since launching its ETH treasury strategy, the company said it has staked all its crypto stack earning 120 ETH in rewards. The company also reported a nearly 19% increase in ETH per share during that span.

“This move reflects our confidence in Ethereum’s utility and our commitment to exploring transformative technologies that can unlock new value for our business and stockholders, alike,” Lubin said in a statement.

24th June 2025

Ethereum Developer Proposes 6-Second Block Times to Boost Speed, Slash Fees

Ethereum could soon run twice as fast.

That’s according to a new proposal floated by core developer Barnabé Monnot to reduce the network’s slot time from 12 seconds to 6 seconds, effectively doubling the number of blocks produced per minute.

The idea, part of EIP-7782, could be included in the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade slated for 2026. Proposals or publicly discussed ideas are commonplace in the blockchain world, and may not necessarily move to testing.

If implemented, the proposal would reduce time across three key consensus steps: block proposals (3 seconds), attestations (1.5 seconds), and aggregation (1.5 seconds). That would shave 6 seconds off the current 12-second cycle.

Faster blocks mean quicker confirmations, fresher onchain data for wallets and apps, and a more seamless experience for users. For the booming decentralized finance (DeFi) economy, that could translate to tighter arbitrage windows, lower trading fees, and higher liquidity — all of which improve market efficiency.

However, not everyone may benefit. Slower validators could struggle to keep up with tighter deadlines, bandwidth requirements could increase, and poorly tested changes could risk network instability.

The Glamsterdam hard fork is currently in the early planning stages, with a broader focus on gas optimizations and protocol efficiency.

24th June 2025

Ether, Solana, Cardano Spike 7% as Trump Claims to Broker Israel-Iran Ceasefire

A fragile calm swept across risk assets on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, sparking a rally in crypto majors.

“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World,” Trump said on his Truth Social account.

Ether ETH, Solana's SOL SOL, and Cardano's ADA ADA surged around 7% in the past 24 hours. Ether climbed back above $2,400, while SOL and ADA rose over support at $140 and 50 cents respectively.

Crypto trading volumes also rebounded after a brutal Sunday-Monday flush that saw nearly $600 million in long liquidations. XRP XRP, BNB Chain’s BNB BNB, and dogecoin DOGE also rose between 4%-6%. The broader CoinDesk 20 CD20}], a liquid index tracking the largest tokens, rose over 3%.

The bounce followed a wave of macro relief. Brent crude slipped 1.8% and S&P 500 futures turned positive, even as the ceasefire lacked formal confirmation from either government. But traders were quick to rotate back into altcoins, betting on a volatility cooldown.

“We think the market will soon normalize and move on from the latest geopolitical episode,” said Augustine Fan, head of insights at SignalPlus. “But we’re more worried about a bigger shake-out to stop out recent longs… and the negative FOMO signals from all the public companies looking to establish new BTC treasuries as their latest financial engineering gig,” Fan added.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin {{BTC continues to consolidate near $105,000, testing overhead resistance as institutional flows hold steady. Some see structural strength in the asset's performance over the past few weeks.

“Its ability to hold above $100K underscores resilience amid geopolitical and macro volatility,” said Kay Lu, CEO of HashKey Eco Labs, told CoinDesk.

“As institutional inflows and ETF demand rebound, BTC’s decoupling from traditional risk-off signals suggests a maturing role as a macro hedge in the long term,” Lu added.

Still, some traders caution that the next leg of the move could be driven by profit-taking, especially in overheated tokens, such as ether.

23rd June 2025

Ether’s Leverage-Driven Rally Faces Breakdown Risk, Matrixport Warns

Ether’s ETH recent rally may be on shaky ground with one firm warning that last week’s price surge was largely fueled by speculative futures positions instead of a bump in organic demand.

In a note on Monday, Matrixport opined that “leveraged traders have pushed [ETH’s] price higher in the absence of fundamental support,” adding that this made the asset more susceptible to the “outsized decline” the asset saw over the weekend.

Ether slumped over 8% in a Saturday sell-off, leading losses among majors as traders reacted to the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear sites in a surprise airstrike.

The firm pointed to last week’s sharp drop in ETH as evidence of this position-driven fragility and warned that elevated leverage levels could continue to pressure prices.

At press time, ETH traded near $2,248 — down from last week’s high above $2,400 — as derivatives data showed traders aggressively hedging downside risk.

Options market signals echo that caution, as CoinDesk analyst Omkar Godbole noted over the weekend. According to data from Amberdata, ETH’s 25-delta risk reversals — a measure comparing the cost of puts versus calls — have skewed negative across June to July expiries. This suggests investors are paying up for protection against downside volatility.

QCP Capital further noted in a weekend market update that “risk reversals in both BTC and ETH continue to show a preference for downside protection,” adding that long holders are actively hedging their spot exposure.

22nd June 2025

Bullish Crypto Bets Liquidated for $595M as U.S. Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites

Crypto bulls were blindsided Friday after the U.S. military launched airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites, triggering a sharp selloff and $595 million in long-position liquidations.

The move, announced by former President Donald Trump, saw bombers hit Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — three of Iran’s main uranium enrichment facilities. The geopolitical jolt rattled global markets and sent crypto into a tailspin on Sunday.

In the past 24 hours, 172,853 traders were liquidated, with total losses hitting $681.8 million, meaning 87% of it was from longs. Ether (ETH) traders took the biggest hit with $282 million in liquidations, followed by bitcoin (BTC) tracked trades at $151 million.Futures tracking other majors, such as SOL, XRP, and DOGE also faced heavy losses, with at least over $22 million in losses.Liquidation refers to when an exchange forcefully closes a trader’s leveraged position due to a partial or total loss of the trader’s initial margin. It happens when a trader is unable to meet the margin requirements for a leveraged position (fails to have sufficient funds to keep the trade open).A cascade of liquidations often indicates market extremes, where a price reversal could be imminent as market sentiment overshoots in one direction.

Prices briefly plunged before stabilizing. Bitcoin held near $102,000, while Ethereum traded just above $2,280, both down intraday but avoiding freefall.

Bybit and Binance accounted for two-thirds of all liquidations. And with the U.S. threatening “far greater” strikes, traders are likely bracing for more volatility.

21st June 2025

What Are Savvy Bitcoin and Ether Traders Preparing For as Summer Approaches?

Savvy bitcoin BTC and ether ETH traders are shoring up their defenses as the broader market continues to foresee bullish price action over the summer.

That's the message from an options-based strategy called 25-delta risk reversal, which involves the simultaneous purchase of a put option and sale of a call, or vice versa.

At the time of writing, risk reversals based on Deribit-listed bitcoin and ether options indicated that investors were positioning for downside volatility over the summer.

BTC's 25-delta risk reversals for June, July, and August tenors were negative, indicating a preference for put options, which offer downside protection, over calls or bullish bets, according to data source Amberdata. In ETH's case, puts were pricier out to the July end expiry.

Traders typically buy put options to hedge their long positions in the spot and futures markets, protecting themselves from potential price declines.

“Risk reversals in both BTC and ETH continue to show a preference for downside protection across June and September tenors. This suggests that long holders are actively hedging spot exposure and preparing for potential drawdowns,” Singapore-based QCP Capital said in a market note.

BTC: 25-delta risk reversals. (Deribit, Amberdata)

The nervousness is evident from the over-the-counter liquidity platform Paradigm, where the top five BTC trades for the week include a put spread and a bearish risk reversal. Meanwhile, in ETH's case, a long position in the $2,450 put crossed the tape alongside a short strangle (volatility) trade.

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market value, has spent over 40 days trading back and forth above $100,000, according to CoinDesk data. According to analysts, profit-taking by long-term holders and miner selling have counteracted the strong uptake for spot ETFs, leaving prices directionless.

“Bitcoin has recently tracked sideways, suggesting its current price may be too high for many retail investors. Open interest in BTC options has risen, with a positive and rising 25 delta put-call skew on 30-day contracts, which may imply that market participants are seeking short-term protection through put options,” Coinbase Institutional's weekly report noted.

On Friday, BTC closed (UTC) below the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) to trade below the key support for the first time since mid-April. The breakdown may lead to more chart-driven selling, potentially resulting in a drop below $100,000.

Some observers, however, expect a rally to new record highs. According to market observer Cas Abbé, BTC's on-balance volume continues to indicate strong buying pressure, suggesting that prices could rise to $130,000-$135,000 by the end of the third quarter.

19th June 2025

Ether, Solana, and Other Majors Could Slide Further as Trump Threatens Iran Strikes

Crypto majors slid further on Thursday and the dollar gained ground as fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East intensified.

XRP XRP, Cardano’s ADA ADA, and Solana’s SOL SOL lost over 1% in the past 24 hours, while dogecoin DOGE is flat on the day but down over 10% for the week, wiping out its early June rally. Ether ETH lost 0.7%, reversing all gains from earlier in the week.

As such, spot bitcoin BTC exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. continued to attract inflows, with over $389 million in fresh buys on Wednesday, data shows. Spot ETH ETFs racked up $19 million in positive flows.

U.S. officials are reportedly weighing a direct strike on Iran, while the Federal Reserve flagged a more persistent inflation outlook, spooking investors and pushing equities, crypto majors, and commodities into choppy waters.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned on Wednesday that tariffs and global conflict could make it harder to tame inflation. While the central bank held rates steady, Powell said the cost of tariffs “will fall on the end consumer,” and that the Fed needs to “see more” before cutting.

Altcoins, considered higher-risk bets, are typically the first to get dumped in times of macro stress.

Bitcoin continues to remains rangebound. While the largest cryptocurrency has climbed 13% year-to-date, buoyed by ETF inflows and dollar weakness, it hasn’t acted decisively as either a safe haven or a risk asset this week.

“Bitcoin seems stuck between two worlds,” said FxPro analyst Alex Kuptsikevich. “It’s not reacting to rising risk appetite, nor surging like gold during heightened conflict.”

18th June 2025

Spain’s BBVA is Advising Clients to Invest Up to 7% of Portfolio in BTC, ETH: Reuters

Spanish lender BBVA is advising its wealth clients to invest 3%-7% of their portfolios in cryptocurrencies, an executive of the Spanish bank said on Tuesday.

The bank's head of digital and blockchain solutions Philippe Meyer told the DigiAssets conference in London that it started advising clients on bitcoin BTC in September last year, according to a report by Reuters.

“The riskier profile, we allow up to 7% of (portfolios in) crypto,” Meyer said.

BBVA's advice of investing in crypto currently applies to bitcoin and ether ETH, but the bank plans to expand this to other cryptocurrencies later this year, he added.

While many major financial institutions are showing a distinctly warmer attitude toward cryptocurrency investments in 2025 than in years past, BBVA's news is noteworthy in that it is actively advising its clients to buy crypto.

BBVA did not immediately respond to CoinDesk's request for comment.

18th June 2025

Spain’s BBVA is Advising Clients to Invest Up to 7% of Portfolio in BTC, ETH: Reuters

Spanish lender BBVA is advising its wealth clients to invest 3%-7% of their portfolios in cryptocurrencies, an executive of the Spanish bank said on Tuesday.

“The riskier profile, we allow up to 7% of (portfolios in) crypto,” Meyer said.

BBVA's advice of investing in crypto currently applies to bitcoin and ether ETH, but the bank plans to expand this to other cryptocurrencies later this year, he added.

BBVA did not immediately respond to CoinDesk's request for comment.

17th June 2025

Deribit Sees Strong Demand From Institutions, Volume on Its Block RFQ Tool Reaches $23B in Four Months

The institutionalization of cryptocurrencies is accelerating rapidly.

Crypto derivatives exchange Deribit's on-demand liquidity tool, the Deribit Block Request-for-Quote (RFQ) interface, has registered a cumulative trading volume of over $23 billion in less than four months since its debut in early March.

Deribit is a prominent derivatives exchange, offering the world's largest options market for traders of bitcoin BTC, ether ETH, Solana SOL, and XRP XRP. It also offers futures and spot trading.

The exchange introduced the block RFQ system in March, where participants (takers), typically institutions and high-volume traders, request pricing for a structure – a single instrument trade or a multi-legged strategy involving spot, futures, or options. A block trade is a large transaction.

Market makers, entities tasked with providing liquidity, then respond with either single or double-sided quotes, following which the best quote for the bid and the ask are displayed to the taker. The best quote for the bid and the best quote for the ask is then displayed to the taker, who can trade by crossing against either the bid or the ask.

The system allows large traders to execute orders more efficiently outside of public order book systems, ensuring minimal impact on market prices.

Imagine buying vegetables in large quantities directly from a farm (OTC) and receiving a better price and more flexible terms rather than bidding in a crowded market where a large order can significantly raise prices.

“The RFQ system allows for multi-leg trades, multiple maker quotes, and greater price efficiency—improving execution for large OTC trades while minimizing adverse selection. It reflects strong institutional demand and Deribit’s continued focus on liquidity and trade quality,” Deribit's CEO Luuk Strijers told CoinDesk.

Strijers noted that the system targets the needs of professional and agency trading operations, such as support for complex structures and large volumes.

“Block RFQ lets multiple liquidity providers compete on partial quotes and makers benefit from reduced adverse selection, allowing tighter quotes, while takers enjoy price improvements and anonymity options,” Strijers noted.

The RFQ system handled trades worth $883 million in March, with the activity booming to $6.3 billion in April. The momentum continued in May, with the tally reaching $9.8 billion and exceeding $6 billion in just the first half of June.

If that's not enough, the percentage of block trades executed via Deribit's RFQ has increased to 27.5% this month, up from 17% in April and 21% in May.

16th June 2025

Ethereum Whales Feast While Retail Flees—ETH Ocean Just Got Hungrier

In the past month, big Ethereum wallets have been quietly piling on more Ether while small investors pull their profits. Activity on the network has been choppy but the heavy hitters have not slowed down. Retail traders, by contrast, have been cashing out as prices hover in a narrow range.

Whales And Sharks Increasing Holdings

According to data from Santiment, wallets holding between 1,000 and 100,000 ETH have added a net total of nearly 1.5 million ETH over the last 30 days. That boost represents a 3.70% rise in their combined holdings.

These so‑called whales and sharks now control over 41 million ETH, or about a quarter of all Ether in circulation. It’s a clear sign that large traders see value in Ethereum at these levels, even as the market trades sideways.

There are currently 6,392 wallets holding between 1K and 100K Ethereum. Over the past month alone, these key whale and shark wallets have rapidly added more coins as retail traders have taken profit.

During these past 30 days, a net of +1.49M more $ETH has been accumulated by… pic.twitter.com/1hPBTuAOrL

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) June 13, 2025

Sideways Trading And Price Moves

Ethereum’s price action has been muted. Based on reports from CoinGecko, Ether is up 5% in the last 14 days and 5.4% over the past month. It’s trading around $2,625 almost 45% below its all‑time high. The slow grind suggests neither buyers nor sellers have full conviction. Still, big holders continue to stack coins, waiting for the next catalyst.

Rising Activity On Layer 2 And Services

On‑chain data shows whales directing attention to specific services. Transaction volume in Ethereum Name Service jumped over 300% in the second week of July. Lending protocols on Ethereum saw a more than 200% rise.

Meanwhile, transfers of USDC on layer 2 networks—Base, Arbitrum and Optimism—all posted triple‑digit gains. These numbers point to growing use of scaling layers and services beyond simple trading.

Spot ETF Inflows Update

Institutional interest has been strong too. US spot Ether products saw inflows for 19 straight days before a small pullback. That streak brought in $1.37 billion, mostly into BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust.

On the day the run ended, the funds recorded just a little over $2 million in outflows. It’s a minor wobble in what has so far been a solid embrace of Ether by big financial firms.

Big Appetite

Meanwhile, big wallets keep buying while smaller traders lock in gains. Network activity on services and layer 2s is surging. And institutions are still putting fresh dollars into Ethereum via ETFs.

For now, Ether sits in a tight range. But when demand meets a clear price trigger, that quiet build‑up of coins in big wallets could push things to the upside.

Featured image from Imagen, chart from TradingView