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Reuters Crypto Weekly video from June 24, 2026, titled “Stablecoin rules soften, blockchain stocks beckon,” draws attention to recent regulatory easing in the crypto space and growing investor interest in blockchain-related equities.
It suggests that a more lenient stance on stablecoins could open the door to wider adoption, while blockchain technology is creating fresh opportunities for traditional stock markets through tokenization and improved efficiency.
The video is timely but stays at a high level, offering little in the way of concrete data or deeper economic context.
This development follows closely on the Bank of England’s June 22 announcement, which softened its rules for sterling-backed stablecoins by removing proposed individual holding caps and replacing them with a £40 billion issuance limit per stablecoin.
The change aims to prevent overly strict regulations from stifling an emerging market. It also aligns with the clearer framework already in place in the United States under the 2025 GENIUS Act for payment stablecoins.
Together these moves point to a broader global shift toward regulatory clarity that could encourage greater institutional involvement in crypto. As of late June 2026, the global stablecoin market capitalization stands at approximately 312 to 314 billion dollars.
This represents more than 50 percent growth since early 2025. Dollar-pegged tokens such as USDT and USDC continue to dominate supply and drive enormous transaction volumes.
Analysts expect the total market cap could reach or exceed one trillion dollars by year-end if current trends hold.
Stablecoins function as an efficient bridge between traditional finance and crypto, providing low-cost transfers that become particularly useful during periods of geopolitical tension and rising energy prices.
In the United States, the economy has remained relatively resilient. GDP growth is expected to come in around 2 to 2.5 percent for 2026, supported by strong AI-related capital spending. At the same time, inflation has moved higher, with the April CPI reaching 3.8 percent year-over-year, partly due to elevated energy costs linked to ongoing conflicts.
The S&P 500 has delivered solid year-to-date gains of roughly 7.5 to 9 percent and is trading in the 7,300 to 7,500 range. Technology and semiconductor stocks have led the advance on the back of AI optimism.
Bitcoin has been fluctuating around the 60,000-dollar level in recent weeks, reacting to both regulatory developments and broader risk sentiment.
Blockchain stocks have already begun to reflect some of this momentum. Coinbase shares, for example, are up about 37 percent year-to-date and are trading near the 142 to 150 dollar range, driven by higher trading volumes and institutional demand.
The wider theme of asset tokenization is also gaining traction. Tokenized financial assets have expanded from roughly 5.6 billion to nearly 19 billion dollars over the past year, covering treasuries, private credit, and early experiments with public equities.
This trend promises faster settlement, 24/7 trading, and greater accessibility for investors.
From a macro perspective, regulatory softening reduces uncertainty and could lower risk premiums for crypto-related assets. Stablecoins improve liquidity and efficiency in payments and settlements, which may prove valuable in an environment of persistent inflation concerns.
Tokenization of real-world assets has the potential to modernize capital markets by increasing transparency and cutting out intermediaries.
These developments often move in tandem with broader equity markets, especially high-growth technology sectors, because crypto tends to behave like a high-beta risk asset that amplifies both gains and losses.Risks should not be overlooked.
Volatility in crypto prices and related stocks remains much higher than in major stock indices. Any further rise in energy costs or a shift toward tighter monetary policy could dampen risk appetite across markets.
Regulatory progress is also uneven globally, and sterling stablecoins still face stiff competition from established dollar versions.
Overall, the easing of stablecoin rules combined with rising interest in blockchain equities marks a constructive step toward bringing crypto further into the mainstream financial system.
In the current U.S. equity environment, which is being driven by AI and supported by economic resilience, this theme offers a structural opportunity for selective positioning.
Investors should balance the innovation upside with careful attention to macroeconomic signals such as inflation trends and policy responses.
Crypto Weekly: Stablecoin rules soften, blockchain stocks beckon https://t.co/OTvacU1g6M
Nouriel Roubini, the economist famous for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, is now putting one of his own investment products on the blockchain.
On June 23, 2026, reports emerged that he co-authored a whitepaper for USAFi, a digital token backed by the Atlas America Fund—an ETF he oversees that trades on Nasdaq under ticker USAF.
The roughly $17 million fund holds U.S. Treasuries, gold, and real estate investment trusts. The token is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2026 under Dubai’s VARA framework as a compliant blockchain-based security.
Born in Istanbul in 1958 to Iranian Jewish parents and educated at Harvard, Roubini earned the nickname “Dr. Doom” after warning in a 2006 IMF speech that a U.S. housing bubble would burst and trigger a severe recession.
When the 2008 crisis unfolded as predicted, his reputation as a sharp macro forecaster was sealed. He has since repeatedly cautioned about inflation, trade wars, and geopolitical risks.
His criticism of cryptocurrencies has been equally blunt. In 2018 Senate testimony, he called crypto “the mother of all scams and bubbles,” arguing that assets like Bitcoin lack fundamental value, are easily manipulated, and serve mostly speculative or illicit ends.
He has long dismissed blockchain as overhyped technology. Recent market data partly supported his view: Bitcoin crashed from around $69,000 to near $16,000 in 2022, while collapses like FTX wiped out billions.
Yet Roubini is now embracing a blockchain application tied to real assets. In the USAFi announcement, he explained that while most digital assets offered no protection because they lacked backing, this product differs.
It draws from a diversified reserve of Treasuries, gold, and AI-related sectors designed to hold value amid shocks from trade conflicts, inflation, and instability—the very risks he has long highlighted.The move comes as tokenized real-world assets gain traction in traditional finance.
The broader market for such assets is projected to grow rapidly from roughly $2 trillion today toward tens of trillions in coming years. Roubini’s modest $17 million fund remains small by comparison, but it shows even longtime skeptics are testing blockchain rails when they wrap around regulated, asset-backed instruments.Roubini’s shift is less a full reversal than a pragmatic exception.
The economist who once labeled most of crypto a speculative cesspool now sees value in blockchain for delivering the stability and transparency he has always advocated. Whether USAFi succeeds will depend on execution and adoption, but it underscores how outcomes in finance often favor what proves resilient over pure ideology.
Nouriel Roubini, the economist known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis and later for his sharp criticism of crypto, is putting one of his investment products on the blockchain. https://t.co/NfO5i57lNX
Recent CNBC report highlights a growing partisan divide in U.S. cryptocurrency adoption, with Republicans now showing higher engagement than Democrats in investing, trading, or using assets like Bitcoin and Ether.
This shift, which surfaced around mid-2023 and widened around the 2024 election, marks the first clear gap in recent years and reflects intersecting influences from politics, demographics, markets, and the broader economy.
According to a Pew Research Center survey of 8,512 U.S. adults conducted in January 2026, 19 percent of American adults overall have ever used cryptocurrency, up slightly from 16 percent in 2021. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents report a 22 percent rate, up from 16 percent five years earlier, while Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents remain steady at 17 percent.
Morning Consult data shows the gap in recent buying or selling activity peaked at 11 percentage points in Q2 2025 (27.9 percent Republicans versus 17.3 percent Democrats) before narrowing to about 5 points.
Other surveys, including Gallup’s 2025 findings, confirm similar patterns with 16 percent ownership among Republicans versus 10 percent among Democrats.Demographic factors amplify the divide. Men participate at 27 percent compared with 11 percent for women, with men aged 18–49 showing the highest rates at 38–40 percent. Usage is also higher among younger adults (26–28 percent for ages 18–49) and upper-income households (27 percent).
These patterns suggest that risk tolerance and generational differences play significant roles alongside party affiliation.
This trend coincides with major changes in the U.S. political landscape. Donald Trump’s 2024 victory and second term have brought explicit pro-cryptocurrency policies.
In March 2025, he signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using government-held forfeited Bitcoin (over 200,000 BTC at the time), directing that holdings not be sold and positioning Bitcoin as a strategic national asset.
Trump has promoted the U.S. as the “crypto capital of the world,” favoring deregulation and reduced enforcement. His family’s ventures, including World Liberty Financial and related memecoins, have added personal visibility. In contrast, the prior administration emphasized regulatory enforcement, creating a more cautious environment.
While Democrats remain split on the issue, industry priorities around regulatory clarity have aligned more closely with Republican approaches.
Financial conditions have both supported and tested adoption. As of mid-June 2026, Bitcoin trades in the $63,000–$66,000 range after 2025 highs and subsequent corrections amid ETF outflows.
Institutional interest continues through ETFs and tokenized assets, bolstered by policy tailwinds from the current administration, though the market remains volatile and sensitive to sentiment.
Macroeconomic pressures add further context. U.S. CPI inflation rose to 4.2 percent year-over-year in May 2026, driven partly by energy costs, while the Federal Reserve held its federal funds rate at 3.50–3.75 percent in June.
Updated projections show higher inflation expectations (3.6 percent PCE for 2026) and GDP growth around 2.2 percent, with some officials anticipating possible rate hikes later in the year.
As a risk asset, cryptocurrency faces headwinds from higher rates and a stronger dollar but can benefit from inflation-hedge narratives during periods of elevated prices.
Several factors drive the partisan gap. Crypto’s libertarian roots—emphasizing decentralization and skepticism of centralized power—align more naturally with Republican instincts, an alignment strengthened by Trump’s endorsement and policy actions.
Demographic overlaps, particularly higher risk tolerance among younger men, concentrate adoption in segments that lean Republican. The absence of comparable high-profile Democratic initiatives has left the narrative asymmetrically tilted toward one side.
Looking forward, the divide has implications for industry growth, legislation, and investor strategy. Sustained Republican-leaning adoption could accelerate deregulation and infrastructure development under the current administration, yet it risks reinforcing perceptions of politicization.
Broader mainstreaming will depend on delivering real-world utility, clearer rules, and resilience to economic cycles. Key watchpoints include implementation of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Federal Reserve decisions, inflation trends, and any shifts in Democratic positioning.
In essence, recent data reveal a genuine partisan pattern in U.S. cryptocurrency adoption shaped by political leadership, demographics, market maturation, and macroeconomic conditions.
While the gap is real and measurable, cryptocurrency’s longer-term trajectory will hinge on its ability to transcend political divides and prove durable value across a wider investor base amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
Republicans buy crypto more than Democrats, data shows — what's driving the divide https://t.co/ulHlut5jkf
ZEROBASE Weekly 6.15-6.21
ZBT traded steadily in the $0.11–$0.13 range throughout the week, holding up well relative to the wider crypto sector’s fluctuations while maintaining solid liquidity conditions and consistent trading interest.
Crypto market demonstrated notable resilience this week amid geopolitical developments and lingering volatility, staging a measured recovery from mid-week lows despite broader caution.
Total market capitalization fluctuated in the $2.18T–$2.25T range, starting near $2.18T–$2.20T early in the period and closing the week around $2.20T–$2.27T, reflecting a relatively stable footprint with Bitcoin dominance holding steady near 56%.
Bitcoin opened the week near $66,000 (June 15 close ~$66,289), pulled back to a mid-week low around $62,200 (June 18 low), then rebounded strongly to trade in the $63,000–$64,500 range by close.
It recorded a net decline of roughly 4–4.5% from the weekly open, with an intraday high above $67,200 earlier in the period. The recovery from the mid-week trough represented approximately 3.5–4% gains, highlighting buyer interest at lower levels.
ETH moved largely in tandem, starting around $1,750–$1,780, dipping toward the $1,700 zone mid-week before settling near $1,710–$1,730 by the end of the period (June 21 close ~$1,713), for a net decline of roughly 2–4%.Derivatives metrics pointed to cautious but stabilizing sentiment.
Bitcoin futures open interest held largely steady in the $45B–$50B band. 24-hour liquidations remained moderate (typically in the $100M–$300M range across major sessions), with a notable tilt toward short liquidations during rebound days. Funding rates on major pairs such as BTC/USDT stayed near neutral (around 0.002% per 8 hours), indicating balanced positioning without excessive leverage buildup on either side.
Macro headwinds were partially offset by positive geopolitical developments.
The US-Iran ceasefire agreement provided a meaningful tailwind for risk assets mid-week, easing tensions and supporting a broad rebound in crypto alongside equities.
The Federal Reserve maintained a measured stance, with probabilities of unchanged rates in June remaining extremely high (~98%).
Ongoing inflation data and global policy considerations continued to influence sentiment, though the de-escalation reduced immediate geopolitical risk premiums.Institutional participation offered underlying support.
Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded mixed flows during the week, with some daily inflows (including notable positives mid-month) interrupting earlier outflow streaks.
Broader June outflows totaled around $1.75B, yet cumulative long-term inflows remain substantial, reinforcing conviction among large players.
Altcoins showed selective strength on rebound days, with assets like SOL and XRP posting double-digit percentage gains in 24-hour windows amid the risk-on shift triggered by geopolitical news.
Sector rotation was evident, with DeFi and certain Layer-1 names outperforming during the recovery phase.
In summary, the period delivered a measured pullback followed by intraday recoveries in spot prices and positioning, despite the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remaining firmly in Extreme Fear territory (hovering around 20–25 throughout the week).
The combination of geopolitical tailwinds from the US-Iran ceasefire, neutral derivatives positioning, and persistent (if mixed) institutional ETF flows suggests the market is consolidating rather than capitulating.
With support levels holding and leverage appearing contained, the sector appears to be building a more stable base heading into the latter part of the quarter, even as macro caution and fear readings persist.
Sustained monitoring of Fed signals, further geopolitical developments, and ETF flow trends will be key in the weeks ahead.
@mirrorzk Won't be far away.🫡🫡
Bloomberg’s recent Crypto newsletter questioned what buyers actually receive when crypto features enter real-world asset markets.
While it noted that liquidity alone does not equal new economic value, current developments show tokenization is becoming a powerful bridge between traditional finance and crypto, delivering real efficiency gains and validating blockchain at scale.
Market growth has been rapid. By mid-2026, tokenized real-world assets reached over $32 billion in on-chain value, with represented assets exceeding $350 billion.
This followed 30% growth in Q1 2026 and more than 260% expansion throughout 2025. Tokenized U.S. Treasuries have surpassed $12 billion, while BlackRock’s BUIDL fund has grown to about $2.5 billion in assets under management across multiple chains.
These products demonstrate strong institutional adoption through near-instant transfers and continuous yield.Buyers gain several clear advantages.
Fractional ownership makes high-quality assets accessible with smaller capital. Settlement becomes near-instant, reducing risk and freeing up capital. On-chain transparency improves trust and auditing.
The biggest benefit comes from composability. Tokenized assets can be used as collateral in DeFi protocols or generate additional yield on-chain — features traditional instruments cannot offer. This turns static holdings into dynamic, productive assets within the crypto ecosystem.
From a macro legal perspective, frameworks are maturing in a supportive way. Major jurisdictions are clarifying how tokens map to underlying rights while protecting investors.
This progress reduces uncertainty and encourages more institutional capital to move on-chain.The impact on the crypto industry is strongly positive.
Tokenization brings billions in traditional capital onto public blockchains, increasing liquidity and demand for better infrastructure, custody, and standards.
It proves blockchain can handle real financial use cases at scale, boosting credibility and attracting new participants.Every successful tokenized product creates network effects, leading to richer integrations and new use cases.
Projections from major firms point to tokenized asset markets reaching $10–16 trillion by 2030, driven by better access, liquidity, and composability.
Tokenization combines the substance of real-world assets with blockchain’s speed and programmability. It creates meaningful value for buyers and institutions while accelerating crypto’s role as core financial infrastructure.
What happens when crypto and its customs start seeping into real-world markets? https://t.co/70ZTGH2owc
In a recent Bloomberg feature, Wyoming emerges as the first U.S. state to issue its own stablecoin, the Frontier Stable Token (FRNT).
While still early, the effort is drawing interest from other states as a practical example of responsible innovation rather than just an experiment.
FRNT is a fully reserved dollar-pegged token backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars and short-term Treasuries, with a 2% overcollateralization buffer for extra security. Reserves are held in a dedicated trust, and the token runs across seven major blockchains for easy use and transfers.
It’s available on Kraken, and interest earned on reserves supports Wyoming’s School Foundation Fund. Early tests already showed government vendor payments shrinking from weeks to seconds.
Legally, the structure follows Wyoming’s Stable Token Act, using a public commission and clear trust model that protects holders while allowing redemption at par.
This gives the token a solid foundation with built-in safeguards, offering other states a clear template they can adapt.
On a broader level, FRNT points to real efficiency gains in public finance. Faster, lower-cost payments can free up resources and improve cash flow for businesses and residents.
By channeling benefits like education funding back into the community, it shows how blockchain can support practical public goals while attracting forward-thinking businesses to the state.
Overall, Wyoming’s stablecoin stands out as a constructive step forward. It combines careful design with tangible benefits and positions the state as a leader in thoughtful digital finance.
As more states observe the results, this approach could help shape more efficient, inclusive public payment systems across the count
Wyoming, where cattle outnumber people 2:1, became the first US state to formally issue its own stablecoin. Almost six months in, it doesn’t look like much yet — but other states are watching the experiment closely https://t.co/PqUqU7pho7
Yahoo Finance post notes that Bitcoin’s price has climbed above $67,000 amid growing optimism around a U.S.-Iran peace deal.
Cryptocurrency rebounded sharply from a recent low near $59,375 on June 5, adding roughly 5% over the past week to trade around $66,000–$67,000.
Over the past 10 days alone, the broader crypto market cap expanded by about $206 billion as risk sentiment improved. Short liquidations exceeded $360 million during the rally, accelerating the upward move.
The catalyst is a tentative agreement between the United States and Iran to end more than three months of hostilities.
Key elements include a 60-day extension of the current ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, removal of mines within 30 days, and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.
Formal signing is scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland, with follow-up talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program. The deal also aims to halt related fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Markets reacted quickly with a classic risk-on shift. Oil prices fell as supply concerns eased, equities including Nasdaq futures rose, and Bitcoin along with Ethereum posted gains.
Bitcoin dominance held steady near 58–59%, showing the move was broad rather than isolated. This geopolitical de-escalation removed a risk premium that had weighed on assets for weeks, allowing capital to flow back into higher-beta sectors like crypto.
In the wider macro picture, the surge arrives against resilient U.S. equities supported by AI-driven earnings and innovation. Interest rates remain around 3.5–3.75% with sticky inflation still in focus ahead of the Federal Reserve’s mid-June meeting.
Bitcoin had lagged stocks for an extended period amid these pressures and earlier geopolitical tensions, but the deal has provided a clear sentiment boost by lowering energy costs and uncertainty.
Institutional flows remain cautious overall, yet retail and leveraged positioning appear to be driving the immediate momentum.
Analysts note the move aligns with historical patterns where reduced Middle East risk supports risk assets, though sustainability depends on whether the 60-day window leads to lasting progress or renewed friction.
Potential upside targets mentioned in recent commentary include $68,000–$80,000 if momentum holds, but any hawkish signals from the Fed could cap gains.
The episode underscores crypto’s continued sensitivity to both macro liquidity conditions and geopolitical headlines, even as traditional markets stay relatively steady.
While the rally offers relief after recent weakness, it also highlights ongoing volatility. Leveraged positions amplified the rebound, and any setback in deal implementation could trigger quick reversals.
Still, the combination of easing tensions and improving risk appetite positions Bitcoin for further testing of higher levels in the near term, provided broader economic data does not reintroduce caution.
Bitcoin's price has risen above $67,000 per coin amid optimism for the US-Iran deal.
Follow the price, plus get premium analysis and news in AlphaSpace: https://t.co/n3NADE6CF8
ZEROBASE WEEKLY 6.8-6.14
ZBT continued to demonstrate resilience, trading steadily in the $0.11–$0.12 range with solid liquidity conditions throughout the volatile period.
Crypto market showed signs of resilience this week following heavy macro-driven pressure earlier in the month, staging a modest recovery as key geopolitical tensions eased.
Total market capitalization moved from roughly $2.1T–$2.2T early in the period toward the $2.15T–$2.25T zone by Sunday.
Bitcoin opened the week near $63,000–$63,500, pulled back to a mid-week low around $60,500–$61,000, then rebounded to trade in the $64,000–$65,000 range by close — hovering near $65,000 and recording a solid recovery from its weekly lows.
ETH moved in tandem, starting around $1,690, dipping toward the $1,610–$1,650 area before settling near $1,700–$1,720.Macro and institutional developments were the dominant theme.
Geopolitical de-escalation between the U.S. and Iran emerged as a major positive catalyst, with renewed expectations of a peace deal (including signals from President Trump and mediation progress via Pakistan).
This contributed to lower oil prices, a weaker U.S. dollar, and improved global risk appetite, helping lift crypto sentiment and support the late-week rebound.
Bitcoin spot ETFs saw continued outflows early in the broader period (part of a record multi-week streak exceeding $4B), but flows turned more constructive mid-week, with several days recording net inflows (including notable positive days above $85M).
On the corporate side, Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) disclosed its first Bitcoin sale since 2022 — 32 BTC for approximately $2.5 million in late May — to fund preferred stock dividends.
The move drew attention as a rare departure from its accumulation stance, though the company subsequently reported buying back 1,550 BTC in the following period using proceeds from share sales.
Michael Saylor maintained an overall constructive long-term outlook, reiterating expectations that Bitcoin would outperform broader equities over time.
Derivatives metrics pointed to cautious but stabilizing sentiment: total open interest held largely steady in the $95B–$110B band, 24-hour liquidations moderated to the $200M–$400M range, and funding rates on major pairs such as BTC/USDT remained near neutral to mildly positive on the rebound.
Broader macro headwinds persisted, including sticky inflation concerns and a hawkish Federal Reserve posture ahead of the upcoming FOMC meeting.
However, the combination of geopolitical relief and shifting ETF flows provided meaningful support.
In summary, the period delivered a measured rebound in spot prices and positioning despite the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remaining in extreme fear territory (readings mostly between 8–20).
With geopolitical tensions easing and ETF flows showing early signs of stabilization, the market appears to be establishing a more stable base heading further into the quarter.
Cryptocurrency market is steadily maturing, moving beyond pure HODLing into structured corporate finance and regulatory integration.
Two key stories this week highlight this transition.
Strategy’s First Notable Bitcoin Sale
Michael Saylor’s Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) sold 32 BTC between May 26 and 31, 2026, generating roughly $2.5 million at an average price of about $77,135 per coin.
The funds were used to cover dividend payments on the company’s perpetual preferred stock, which carries an approximately 11.5% annualized variable dividend.
While 32 BTC represents only a tiny fraction — roughly 0.003–0.004% — of Strategy’s vast Bitcoin holdings (hundreds of thousands of coins worth tens of billions of dollars), the sale still triggered short-term market volatility.
Bitcoin briefly dipped below $60,000 amid broader ETF outflows and concerns that the long-standing “never sell” narrative was cracking. This was Strategy’s first confirmed BTC sale since December 2022.
However, the move fits Strategy’s long-communicated strategy. Saylor has repeatedly stated that limited sales for specific corporate obligations are possible while the company remains aggressively acquisitive overall.
True to form, Strategy quickly resumed buying, acquiring 1,550 BTC for approximately $101 million the following week. The episode underscores a practical reality: even Bitcoin-maximalist corporations must manage liquidity and capital structure needs. It also tests the market’s maturity, separating emotional reactions from long-term fundamentals focused on Bitcoin-per-share growth.
Greece Moves Toward Crypto Taxation
On the regulatory front, Greece is preparing to introduce formal rules for digital assets. The government plans to implement a 15% capital gains tax on cryptocurrency profits, with the first €500 (about $580) exempt.
The Finance Ministry expects to submit the draft legislation to parliament in the coming months.
This development ends years of tax ambiguity and positions Greece competitively within Europe — notably lower than France’s 30% rate and attractive for investors seeking clarity.
By integrating crypto into the existing tax code, Greece is signaling mainstream acceptance while laying the groundwork for better reporting and institutional participation.
Mining profits may face different treatment, but for most individual investors, the framework provides welcome predictability.
These events illustrate crypto’s adolescence. Institutional players like Strategy are pioneering hybrid models that combine diamond-handed accumulation with pragmatic financial management.
At the same time, governments are embedding digital assets into traditional systems, reducing uncertainty that has long deterred broader adoption.
Volatility remains part of the territory, as seen in the brief price reaction to Strategy’s sale. Yet clearer tax rules and more sophisticated corporate strategies point toward greater legitimacy and stability.
For investors, the takeaway is cautious optimism: the sector is growing up, and while headlines may fluctuate, the underlying institutional and regulatory momentum continues to build.
Crypto Weekly: Saylor's bitcoin sale, Greece mulls crypto tax https://t.co/OTvacU1g6M
As the AI-driven equity rally pushes the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh highs under Trumponomics, gold and bitcoin have been noticeably absent. The Financial Times recently called them “the assets the rally forgot.”
While stocks celebrate deregulation and tech euphoria, these two have lagged — but the numbers and macro setup suggest this pause is temporary and full of upside.
The contrast is clear. The S&P 500 posted a strong 17.9% total return in 2025 and has continued climbing in 2026. Bitcoin, trading around $61,500–$62,000 in mid-June 2026, has trailed the broader market, with spot ETFs seeing over $1.26 billion in outflows during a single week in May — money that rotated into AI stocks instead.
Gold, the standout of 2025 with a roughly 65% surge, has cooled sharply in recent sessions, dropping below $4,100 amid risk-on sentiment.
Why the disconnect?
Capital is chasing the loudest narrative: AI growth and lighter regulation. Bitcoin’s post-halving supply shock and ETF hype have given way to short-term frustration, while gold’s traditional safe-haven appeal fades when equities feel unstoppable.
Yet this lag is not weakness — it’s opportunity. History shows overlooked assets often deliver the next leg higher when sentiment shifts.
Gold still benefits from record government debt and central-bank buying; its low correlation to stocks makes it a stabilizer when equity valuations stretch.
Bitcoin, despite near-term outflows, remains in the early stage of institutional adoption. Its fixed supply and “digital gold” status position it perfectly for rotation once the narrow AI rally takes a breather.
FT view is straightforward: the 2026 rally is powerful but concentrated.
When questions arise around valuations or policy, capital will flow back to scarce hard assets. Both gold and bitcoin offer asymmetric potential — limited near-term downside versus meaningful catch-up upside.
The market may have forgotten them for now. Patient investors are quietly positioning for the rebound. In a cycle of extremes, the overlooked assets often write the next chapter.
Gold and bitcoin: the assets the rally forgot https://t.co/d6g3a1nvcl | opinion
Despite a sharp Bitcoin pullback, the cryptocurrency market is displaying strong resilience. Surging options activity in related stocks reveals high-conviction bullish bets, suggesting the sell-off is creating attractive entry points rather than signaling capitulation.
As of June 9, 2026, Bitcoin has reclaimed the key $60,000 level and is trading at $61,812.02, down 2.57% on the day. It briefly dipped below $60,000 for the first time since October 2024, contributing to a 27% year-to-date decline in 2026 and leaving it roughly 50% below its all-time high.
Yet this volatility has fueled intense trading in Bitcoin-linked names.Activity surged around Coinbase Global (COIN), iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), MicroStrategy (MSTR), and BitMine (BMNR).
While spot prices fell—COIN down 5.17% to around $153.73, MSTR -7.61%, IBIT -2.45%, and BMNR -5.16%—the options market told a more optimistic story.
IBIT ranked in the top 20 by options volume, highlighting sustained institutional interest.The most notable move was a $21 million bullish diagonal strategy on Coinbase.
An unnamed trader sold 10,990 June 18 calls, collecting $4.9 million in premium, while buying $26 million worth of August 21 $160 calls. The structure profits if COIN rises more than 13% from its recent close to surpass the $183.40 breakeven level—clear confidence in the leading U.S. crypto exchange.
Market participants are separating short-term noise from structural strength. FundStrat Head of Research and BitMine Chairman Tom Lee summed it up: “In the face of the onslaught of AI narratives undermining trust of traditional systems, bitcoin remains the soundest money, and the resilience of its proof of work architecture has been demonstrated.”
With Bitcoin holding key support, elevated options premiums generating income, and large bullish flows on key names, the current sell-off looks like healthy consolidation rather than the start of a deeper bear market.
Bitcoin’s fundamentals remain intact, institutional infrastructure continues to mature, and volatility is once again creating opportunity. The data points to optimism: trading interest stays elevated and the biggest bets are leaning bullish, setting the stage for a resilient recovery.
Bitcoin's brutal sell-off sparks a flurry of trading in related stocks, including one big bullish bet https://t.co/sD0p0ev7N5
ZEROBASE Weekly (June 1–7, 2026)
ZBT stood tall through this week’s brutal market crash, showing real strength while everything else got hammered.
As the broader crypto sector sank into double-digit losses, ZBT held steady in good range without breaking a sweat.
Liquidity conditions stayed solid across the entire period, with the average top-of-book bid-ask spread consistently holding at an impressively tight 0.45%.
Crypto market faced significant pressure this week, with a clear correction triggered by leveraged unwinds and macro headwinds. Total market capitalization moved from roughly $2.45T–$2.50T early in the period toward the $2.15T–$2.21T zone by Sunday, reflecting widespread risk-off sentiment.
Bitcoin opened the week near $73,500, pulled back sharply to a mid-week low around $60,800, then staged a modest rebound to trade in the $61,500–$62,500 range by close — recording a net loss of roughly 15–17% from its weekly high, with liquidations exceeding $1B across the sector at the peak of the sell-off.
ETH moved in tandem but with steeper downside, starting around $2,000–$2,004, dipping toward $1,550 before settling near $1,570–$1,600 — a net decline of over 20% from the weekly open.
Derivatives metrics reflected heightened stress followed by partial stabilization: total open interest contracted notably from the $50B+ band early in the week, 24-hour liquidations spiked into the $1B+ range mid-week before moderating, and funding rates on major pairs such as BTC/USDT swung negative before returning toward neutral-to-mildly positive territory by the weekend.
Macro picture got an extra layer of pressure on Friday when the Bureau of Labor Statistics dropped its May employment report. Nonfarm payrolls rose by a stronger-than-expected 172,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% — right in line with the tight 4.3–4.5% range it has stayed in since last summer.
The hotter-than-forecast reading cooled hopes for near-term Fed rate cuts and added fuel to the elevated interest-rate narrative already weighing on risk assets.
Macro headwinds intensified, with geopolitical risks, elevated interest rates, and ETF outflows contributing to the downside pressure.
Still, the sector showed early signs of capitulation and bargain hunting as prices tested key support levels.
In summary, the period delivered a sharp correction in spot prices and positioning amid elevated fear.
Yet ZBT demonstrated clear outperformance and resilience, underscoring its defensive strength in turbulent conditions.
With the market now probing lower supports and derivatives metrics beginning to normalize, the sector appears to be building a potential base heading into the next leg of the quarter.
Bitcoin’s sagging price has crypto bears taking a victory lap, but it is still too soon to count it out.
On June 4, 2026, Bitcoin hit an intraday low of $61,348—its weakest level since February. Year-to-date, the cryptocurrency is down roughly 27 percent, having lost more than half its value from the 2025 peak above $126,000, while U.S. stocks continue to set fresh records.
The pressure is intensified by U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have now recorded 12 consecutive days of net outflows totaling $3.97 billion—the longest streak since their January 2024 launch.
Even so, the funds’ lifetime inflows remain above $54.66 billion, representing nearly 4 percent of Bitcoin’s total supply and showing that institutional interest has not been fully reversed.
On-chain data reinforces the capitulation theme: as of June 5, about 10.5 million BTC—52 percent of circulating supply—sit at a loss, according to Glassnode, a level that has historically marked major bear-market bottoms in every cycle since 2011.
Crypto Fear & Greed Index has plunged into “extreme fear,” yet these exact conditions—widespread losses, prolonged ETF outflows, and peak bearish sentiment—have repeatedly preceded sharp recoveries in Bitcoin’s 16-year history.
MarketWatch’s recent article captures the tension without declaring victory for the bears. It acknowledges the price break and outflow streak but highlights the asset’s proven resilience through multiple cycles.
The long-term case remains intact: institutional adoption through ETFs and corporate treasuries continues, Bitcoin’s role as a non-sovereign store of value and inflation hedge is unchanged, and the structural backdrop of rising global debt and uncertain monetary policy still supports its narrative.
Bitcoin could test lower supports in the near term if outflows persist, but the data point more to late-stage capitulation than a structural collapse.
For investors with a multi-year horizon, today’s depressed prices, heavy on-chain losses, and record ETF redemptions may ultimately be remembered as the setup for the next leg higher—not the beginning of the end.
History shows Bitcoin has answered the same “death” narrative the same way every time: by proving the bears wrong when it mattered most.
Bitcoin’s sagging price has crypto bears taking a victory lap. Why it’s too soon to count it out. https://t.co/yGgJjUUahj
Coinbase’s decision to allow users in India to make trades using the rupee marks a significant milestone for both the exchange and the broader cryptocurrency industry, unlocking substantial growth potential in one of the world’s most promising digital-asset markets.
By enabling seamless rupee deposits and withdrawals, Coinbase has removed a major friction point for Indian users.
Currency conversion costs and delays have long deterred retail participation; local-currency trading eliminates those barriers, making crypto more accessible and practical for everyday investors.
This is especially powerful in India, Asia’s third-largest economy, where a young, tech-savvy population of over 1.4 billion already shows strong appetite for digital finance through widespread UPI adoption.
Coinbase’s move transforms a previously fragmented experience into a smooth, localized one, positioning the platform to capture a much larger share of the Indian market.
For Coinbase itself, the benefits are immediate and strategic. After navigating regulatory hurdles and briefly pausing services in 2023 before resuming last year, the exchange has now demonstrated its commitment to compliance while expanding aggressively.
Rupee support is expected to drive higher trading volumes, increased transaction fees, and stronger user retention. It also strengthens
Coinbase’s competitive edge against local and global rivals, reinforcing its role as a trusted, regulated gateway into crypto for emerging markets.
Analysts see this as a key step toward sustainable revenue growth, particularly as India’s crypto user base continues to expand rapidly.On a wider scale, the launch is unequivocally bullish for the entire crypto ecosystem.
It signals maturing regulatory acceptance and mainstream integration in a major economy that once viewed digital assets with caution. By lowering entry barriers and aligning with local financial systems, Coinbase is accelerating adoption, fostering greater liquidity, and helping crypto move from speculative fringe to everyday financial tool.
This kind of localized expansion encourages similar moves by other platforms and institutions, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation, inclusion, and legitimacy.
In an industry often challenged by volatility and regulatory uncertainty, Coinbase’s India initiative stands out as clear evidence of crypto’s growing global footprint and long-term potential.
For Coinbase shareholders and crypto enthusiasts alike, it represents a powerful catalyst for user growth, market expansion, and sustained upward momentum in the years ahead.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington has ‘seized’ $1 billion in Iranian crypto assets, while US-listed crypto exchange Coinbase is allowing users in India to make trades using the rupee, a key expansion of its services in Asia's third-largest economy
ZEROBASE WEEKLY 5.25-6.1
This week, ZBT largely tracked the overall market pullback.
Liquidity conditions stayed robust throughout the period, with the average top-of-book bid-ask spread holding steady at an exceptionally tight 0.45%.
Cryptocurrency market underwent a corrective pullback this week amid continued volatility. Total market capitalization eased from approximately $2.55 trillion at the start of the week into the $2.48T–$2.52T range by the close.
Bitcoin opened near $77,280, reached an intraday high of about $77,991 early in the week, then retreated to a mid-to-late week low around $72,435 before stabilizing in the $73,500–$73,800 zone. The asset posted a net weekly decline of roughly 4.5%–4.8%.
Ethereum traded in tandem, starting around $2,111, dipping to a low near $1,970–$1,990, and then consolidating in the $1,990–$2,000 range.
Derivatives metrics pointed to cautious trader sentiment: total open interest saw a modest contraction, 24-hour liquidations stayed moderate, and funding rates for major pairs like BTC/USDT turned neutral to slightly negative.
Macro headwinds persisted, with geopolitical risks, recent inflation data, and evolving Federal Reserve expectations keeping participants cautious.
Bitcoin spot ETFs also recorded net outflows during the week, contributing to near-term pressure.
In summary, the period saw a measured pullback in spot prices and positioning, while the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remained in fear territory.
Although liquidity conditions held relatively firm and project-level volumes stayed healthy, the market continues to consolidate amid ongoing macro uncertainties and cautious sentiment.
Please pay close attention to this week’s key U.S. labor data: the ADP National Employment Report on June 3 and the Non-Farm Payrolls on Friday.
These releases will provide critical signals on economic momentum and could shift near-term Fed policy expectations.
In addition, this month marks Kevin Warsh’s first FOMC meeting, which is expected to be highly significant for setting the tone of monetary policy.
These events may trigger notable volatility across risk assets, including crypto. Stay alert and position accordingly.
ZBT is now trading on P2B, Europe’s leading crypto exchanges.
We’re strengthening our commitment in the region.
Thrilled to welcome our growing European community.
Trade ZBT on P2B：https://t.co/kzpdEwhPCR
This week’s cryptocurrency developments, as covered in Reuters’ Crypto Weekly report, reflect a complex mix of regulatory caution, market recovery signals, and geopolitical tensions.
European Central Bank has warned EU finance ministers against further issuance of euro stablecoins, arguing that large-scale adoption could trigger bank deposit outflows, weaken lending capacity, and undermine monetary policy effectiveness.
ECB President Christine Lagarde and colleagues have firmly rejected proposals from the Bruegel think tank to ease liquidity requirements for crypto issuers.
In a positive sign of industry maturation, cryptocurrency exchange and wallet provider https://t.co/xVJaHfk3st has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The move follows last October’s sharp market crash and indicates improving investor sentiment amid gradual regulatory progress.
Meanwhile, stablecoin leader Tether plans to launch a digital token pegged to the Georgian lari, with full government backing.
This public-private partnership aims to modernize financial infrastructure, boost cross-border payments, and attract investment in emerging markets, though it also raises questions about currency sovereignty and capital flow stability.
On the enforcement side, the United Kingdom has frozen assets of several Russia-linked crypto platforms accused of evading international sanctions and banned British firms from processing payments for them.
The action targets “shadow financial systems,” including the Kremlin-backed A7 network, highlighting crypto’s dual role as both an efficient cross-border transfer tool and a potential sanctions loophole.
Cryptocurrency offers clear advantages: it promotes financial inclusion for billions of unbanked people, cuts remittance costs, enhances transaction efficiency through blockchain, and provides inflation-hedging options like Bitcoin.
Its decentralized nature also strengthens user sovereignty and transparency in applications such as supply chains, smart contracts, and NFTs.
However, significant risks remain. Extreme price volatility exposes retail investors to heavy losses, while widespread stablecoin use could destabilize traditional banking and monetary policy, as the ECB warns.
The sector’s pseudonymous features have enabled illicit activities including money laundering and sanctions evasion, and energy-intensive mining continues to raise environmental concerns.
Frequent fraud, hacks, and platform failures further underscore the need for stronger investor protections.
Overall, this week’s news shows cryptocurrency shifting from unregulated expansion toward greater scrutiny and structure.
Achieving its long-term potential will require internationally coordinated frameworks based on the principle of “same activity, same risk, same rules” to balance innovation with systemic stability.
Global standards for stablecoins and enhanced cross-border cooperation are likely to remain key focus areas.
From the ECB's caution over stablecoins to Britain targeting Russia-linked crypto platforms, we report on the big crypto stories of the week
According to a recent Barron’s report, the crypto industry has scored a significant political victory by helping unseat longtime Texas Congressman Rep. Al Green in the Democratic primary.
Through well-funded super PACs such as Fairshake and Protect Progress — heavily backed by Coinbase and other major industry players — the sector poured millions of dollars into supporting challenger Christian Menefee, who defeated Rep. Green, a vocal crypto skeptic on the House Financial Services Committee.
This high-profile win highlights the crypto lobby’s aggressive push to reshape the legislative landscape ahead of key regulatory battles.This political success delivers clear advantages to the stablecoin industry. Stablecoins serve as the foundational infrastructure for much of crypto trading, DeFi, payments, and cross-border transfers.
Replacing a crypto critic like Rep. Green with a more supportive lawmaker increases the chances of passing stablecoin-specific legislation that provides regulatory clarity around reserves, issuance, oversight, and consumer protections.
Such clarity would boost institutional confidence, encourage more banks and traditional financial institutions to issue or partner on stablecoins, reduce compliance uncertainty, and accelerate mainstream adoption of products like USDC and others.
For the broader crypto ecosystem, this victory strengthens the industry’s ability to advance comprehensive digital asset legislation, including Coinbase’s long-sought Clarity Act and market structure reforms.
By demonstrating that the crypto lobby can effectively target and remove unfriendly lawmakers, the sector sends a powerful message that pro-crypto voices will be rewarded and opponents held accountable.
This political momentum is expected to improve the overall regulatory environment, reduce enforcement uncertainty from agencies like the SEC, attract more institutional capital, and foster innovation across DeFi, NFTs, tokenized assets, and blockchain applications.
Crypto industry’s successful campaign in Texas strengthens the outlook for stablecoins through improved regulatory prospects and greater institutional acceptance while accelerating favorable policy outcomes across the entire crypto market. It marks a significant step in the sector’s maturation as a political and economic force.
Crypto Lobby Unseats Texas Lawmaker. What’s Next for Coinbase’s Legislative Push. https://t.co/ptfgOBaZ81
Bitcoin’s implied volatility has hit a nine-month low, according to the Bloomberg report shared in the recent @business X post.
The Bitcoin Volmex Implied Volatility Index fell to 36.11, its weakest reading since September 2025, reflecting quiet trading and a rotation of speculative capital away from the leading cryptocurrency.
This calm period brings clear benefits. It signals growing market maturity, which can attract more institutional players who favor predictable risk profiles.
Hedging costs are lower, and the reduced frenzy allows the market to consolidate support levels without extreme swings, creating a healthier base for long-term holders.
However, the low volatility also carries drawbacks. It dampens retail excitement and momentum trading, potentially thinning liquidity and slowing price discovery.
Capital flowing into altcoins or other assets can weaken Bitcoin’s dominance temporarily, and prolonged quiet often breeds complacency—setting the stage for sharp moves once a catalyst appears.
Looking ahead, the near term is likely to remain range-bound with subdued volume unless fresh drivers emerge, such as stronger ETF flows or macro shifts.
Over the next one to three months, history suggests this breather will end with a volatility pickup.
A return of speculative interest could spark an upside breakout toward new highs, while negative news or broader risk-off sentiment risks a swift downside test.
Overall, this pause appears constructive rather than bearish, typical of crypto cycles before the next leg higher—though thin liquidity means any move could be amplified once it starts.
Bitcoin’s expected volatility has fallen to the lowest level in nine months, as subdued trading and a shift in speculative interest away from the largest cryptocurrency dampen demand for options protection https://t.co/8i9wW17Roc
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