Category: Crypto market

Citi Predicts Bitcoin to Hit $135K by Year-End 2025

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Citi predicts Bitcoin (BTC) will remain bullish, with a base-case target of $135K by the end of the year. The leading digital currency could reach $135,000 based on the bank’s valuation model, but a more optimistic outlook sees Bitcoin soaring to $199K.

Citi’s revised model, which focuses on three main price drivers—user adoption, macroeconomic factors, and inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs—forms the basis of the new forecast. Citi analysts Alex Saunders and Nathaniel Rupert noted that the core valuation begins with a 20% increase in user growth using a linear network model, to support at $75,000. It’s expected that macroeconomic headwinds, weak stock markets, and underperforming gold will subtract approximately $3,200.

The analysts estimated that for every $1 billion in weekly inflows, the price of Bitcoin increases by roughly 4%, highlighting a strong correlation between ETF net flows and BTC returns. “Flows alone account for 41% of the variation in Bitcoin returns since launch; the relationship is equally strong when equity returns are considered.” We have seen just over $19 billion in flows so far this year, including $5.5 billion this month alone. For the rest of the year, we expect flows to continue,” Citi stated.

However, Citi anticipates net ETF inflows of about $15 billion, which could raise the base-case forecast to $135,000, about $63,000 higher. According to Citi’s most conservative projection, if equity markets remain under pressure and ETF inflows are insufficient, Bitcoin could drop to $64,000 by year’s end. Citi’s analysis indicates that ETF flows currently play a key role in their valuation model, accounting for more than 40% of BTC price movements..

Warning: Ripple’s XRP Could Crash 50% Soon

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Zach Rector, a prominent XRP analyst, has reiterated that the cryptocurrency will likely rise to $20–$30 in the current market cycle. However, he warned that such a rally could lead to a 50% correction and that investors should be prepared for volatility. Rector argues that if investors continue to take profits at high levels, XRP will likely pull back sharply once it reaches those levels.

Rector noted that traditional four-year crypto cycles are less rigid, and psychological drivers of liquidity remain a key factor despite changing market conditions.
However, some analysts question whether a significant correction is unavoidable.

Another supporter of XRP, Johnny Utah, claimed that institutional interest, real-world adoption, and regulatory clarity—especially through ETFs—could bypass conventional correction patterns. Although Rector acknowledged these factors, he maintained that global liquidity trends rather than regulatory or macroeconomic shifts would ultimately determine XRP’s path. This view aligns with Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor’s belief that notable price adjustments might only occur at higher valuations.

Regulatory uncertainty complicates the outlook for XRP. The SEC’s delayed approval of crypto ETFs, including Bitwise’s application, contributed to a 6% drop in XRP’s price in late July. Analysts caution that broader financial instability, linked to changes in the crypto landscape, may increase volatility.

While XRP has potential for growth due to strong institutional interest and technical support, a significant risk of sudden corrections and regulatory challenges remains.  The altcoin’s resilience will be tested in a market characterized by mixed signals: there is skepticism about sustainability and optimism about adoption.

Tesla’s Bitcoin stash worth $1.24 billion

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Tesla announced in the second quarter of that year that it had sold three-quarters of its bitcoin holdings, increasing cash on the balance sheet.

 

Bitcoin has experienced a significant rebound, fueled by the Trump administration’s efforts to loosen regulations and its pledge to create a strategic bitcoin reserve. At over $117,000, Bitcoin has nearly doubled in value since Tesla’s major exit at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

Based on estimates of Tesla’s 2021 purchases, its total bitcoin holdings might have been about $5 billion, not $1.24 billion. Today, the $936 million worth of bitcoin that Tesla converted to cash is now worth more than $3.5 billion.

Tesla’s earnings report showed a second straight decline in auto revenue, falling short of Wall Street estimates. The stock dropped 8% on Thursday and is down roughly 25% for the year—by far the largest decline among tech megacaps. In highly competitive and rapidly changing markets, Musk has made large, costly bets on Robotaxis and Optimus robots.

Tesla has also acknowledged that its core business could be hurt by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the expiration of federal EV tax credits.

Tesla’s digital assets are valued at $1.24 billion, a significant surge from the $722 million a year ago. However, for Tesla, this figure represents a missed opportunity worth billions in potential profits. Bitcoin has surged by 80% and is approaching an all-time high within a year. When Bitcoin was worth only a small fraction of its current value in mid-2022, Tesla sold 75% of its holdings. Although Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has said that humanoid robots and Robotaxis, not cryptocurrency investments, are the company’s future,

Tesla is currently facing challenges and could benefit from a financial boost.

Bank of America’s partnership with Ripple boosts RLUSD

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Bank of America’s ongoing partnership with Ripple, which started in 2019, shows growing institutional trust in blockchain technology for liquidity solutions and cross-border settlements. Brian Moynihan, the CEO of Bank of America, confirmed the company’s continued investigation into stablecoins backed by short-term Treasury securities and US dollars.

 

This initiative is currently on hold while more precise regulatory guidance is developed because of the recently passed GENIUS Act.

The Act provides a comprehensive framework for stablecoin regulation in the US, encouraging financial institutions to handle compliant digital assets with greater confidence.

Thanks to their longstanding partnership since 2019, Bank of America is well-positioned to implement RLUSD in future digital dollar strategies. This collaboration includes using Ripple’s technology for cross-border settlements and liquidity management.

The RLUSD stablecoin from Ripple has increased by over 30%, with more than $500 million in circulation, demonstrating significant growth.

This rise is primarily driven by its compatibility with the Ethereum blockchain and the XRP Ledger, as well as its strict regulatory compliance, closely overseen by the New York Department of Financial Services.

Institutional users benefit from the enhanced flexibility and security of this dual-chain operability, meeting rigorous US financial standards. BNY Mellon’s role as custodian further boosts RLUSD’s appeal to traditional financial institutions seeking reliable digital asset solutions.

XRP $3 Moment of Truth: Can Buyers Regain Price Control?

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

XRP surged to a new record high in July, buoyed by bullish sentiment, crypto regulatory developments, and ETF optimism, but profit-taking and whale activity have brought price levels back near the crucial $3 threshold. Continue reading “XRP $3 Moment of Truth: Can Buyers Regain Price Control?” →

Forex Signals Brief July 25: Lagarde Holds, Powell Postures, and Risk Assets Wait

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

The ECB held interest rates steady while markets absorbed cautious optimism from Lagarde, shifting global data, and quiet volatility across assets ranging from gold to crypto. Continue reading “Forex Signals Brief July 25: Lagarde Holds, Powell Postures, and Risk Assets Wait” →

Ethereum ETFs See $231 million Boost, Sustaining 15-Day Inflow Winning Streak

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Ethereum spot ETFs experienced a net inflow of $231 million on July 24, marking the third-highest single-day inflow for the week and extending a 15-day streak of positive flows. As of July 23, this followed a 14-day period of inflows totaling $332 million.

 

They still recorded a net inflow of $227 million to finish a three-day outflow trend, while Bitcoin spot ETFs faced $89 million in outflows on July 24.

Ethereum ETFs have outpaced Bitcoin in inflows for 12 consecutive days, indicating a shift in institutional capital allocation. Analysts attribute this to growing institutional trust in Ethereum, driven by increased transaction volumes and on-chain activity.

On July 24, Ethereum ETFs saw an inflow of $333.87 million, reaching new all-time highs, largely propelled by BlackRock’s product. Since late June, Ethereum ETF inflows have surpassed $4 billion, while Bitcoin’s yearly inflows peaked in mid-July.

Although this is more a price forecast than a confirmed movement, trader Michaël van de Poppe asserts that Ethereum’s price has outstripped Bitcoin by 70% since April lows. This shift reflects broader market dynamics, such as Ethereum’s role in DeFi and upcoming updates that could pull funds away from Bitcoin..

Ripple founder dumps XRP Worth $140 Million

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

ZachXBT, a well-known on-chain investigator, claims that Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple, transferred an estimated $140 million worth of XRP to wallets connected to exchanges over the past week.

 

A wallet linked to Larsen allegedly moved 50 million XRP, or about $161 million, in a series of transactions starting on July 17. Three addresses associated with centralized trading platforms received roughly $140 million of this.

Additionally, 10 million XRP were transferred to two brand-new wallets that had no prior activity, each holding 5 million XRP. Ripple executives have previously faced criticism for their high sales of XRP. The SEC charged CEO Brad Garlinghouse in 2020 with personally selling $150 million worth of XRP from 2017 to 2020. It was also claimed that Larsen and his wife sold off $450 million during that period.

Larsen was recently seen transferring around $30 million worth of XRP to Coinbase on July 18, just before the token hit a new high of $3.65. Amid a broader market correction, XRP has since cooled and is currently trading at about $3.10. Market observers who closely monitor insider movements have speculated about the timing of Larsen’s recent transfers, though the reason remains unclear.

XRP has regained attention, rising to $3.2 and gaining 420% over the past year. On July 18, it reached an all-time high of $3.65, now boasting a market cap of over $190 billion, making it the third-largest crypto by valuation

PENGU on a Rampage on Binance, Gemini Listing

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

PENGU token increased by over a third within a week amid strategic advancements and renewed market interest. Although it hasn’t reached its all-time high of $0.069 from December 2024, PENGU’s metrics show increased activity: open interest has risen 31 percent to $748 million, and trading volume has grown 42 percent to $6 billion.

The token’s holder count has surpassed 868,000, indicating broader adoption among both retail and institutional investors. The token’s price climbed to approximately $0.04121 after a 384 percent rally over the past month. This upward trend reverses a prolonged downtrend. Gemini now supports PENGU deposits, withdrawals, and trading, and Binance Futures announced USDS-M PENGU/USDC perpetual contracts starting July 23.

These developments are expected to boost liquidity and accessibility. Analysts note that, based on typical SEC timelines, a regulatory update around mid-August is likely, fueling speculation about a possible PENGU ETF. The ETF hype has increased both institutional and retail interest, accelerating the token’s growth even without official confirmation.

The surge also coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Pudgy Penguins NFT collection, which remains linked to the Igloo brand and the PENGU token. Analysts attribute the recent strength in the token market to renewed ecosystem activity, resulting in higher NFT engagement.

Another factor bolstering bullish sentiment is the announcement of a portable game to be available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

Bitcoin shows Resilience amid Market Correction

Posted on by Olumide Adesina

Bitcoin showed resilience, holding the $118,000 mark after reaching a record high of $123,000 last Monday, illustrating how market dynamics are constantly shifting. Market watchers viewed this modest increase as a logical pause following the passage of the GENIUS Act, America’s first major stablecoin law that establishes a regulatory framework.

 

Current market behavior appears to be a pause for the markets to digest recent gains rather than indicating a structural downturn.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speech is attracting attention amid rising expectations for future monetary policy directions, which is adding pressure to the markets. Both the cryptocurrency and traditional asset markets could be affected by the Fed’s stance, especially regarding rate changes.

With assessments indicating a potential rate cut in September, markets expect Powell’s tone to have a significant impact. Speculation about Trump continues.

Meanwhile, ongoing talks about possible US tariffs and the approaching deadline are subtly exerting pressure on markets worldwide.

There is widespread speculation about whether major tariffs will be imposed, delayed, or modified once again. Amid ongoing institutional adoption in the cryptocurrency space, this uncertainty inevitably extends into global markets, resulting in a complex interaction of potential risk factors.