Crypto News Review & Fortuna AI Insights – Weekly Recap (June 3 to 9, 2025)

1. Introduction: Weekly Crypto Pulse (June 3-9, 2025)

The week of June 3rd to 9th, 2025, presented a multifaceted narrative for the cryptocurrency market, characterized by a blend of macroeconomic influences, pivotal regulatory shifts, and continued technological evolution. Bitcoin demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently holding above the $100,000 mark, fueled by optimistic expert predictions and robust institutional engagement. Ethereum, while undergoing a significant network upgrade with Pectra, navigated challenges related to its market dominance amidst increasing Layer-1 competition. The emerging AI token sector garnered substantial attention and capital inflows, signaling a new frontier for growth. However, the week also served as a stark reminder of inherent risks, highlighted by a major security incident involving Coinbase, prompting discussions around centralized platform vulnerabilities.

The dominant themes shaping the crypto landscape this week included the enduring impact of Federal Reserve monetary policy on risk assets, a discernible shift in the U.S. regulatory stance towards digital assets, the accelerating pace of institutional adoption, and continuous innovation in blockchain technology, particularly exemplified by Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade and the burgeoning AI-driven cryptocurrency segment. The Coinbase data breach underscored the critical importance of robust security measures and risk management within the ecosystem.

The upward momentum observed in the cryptocurrency market this week can be attributed to several reinforcing factors. A primary catalyst stemmed from the increasing anticipation of potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The upcoming U.S. jobs report, projected to show a slowdown in nonfarm payrolls (125,000-130,000 new additions, down from April’s 177,000), was identified as a critical factor. A weaker-than-expected Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) figure or an uptick in the unemployment rate would signal a cooling labor market, thereby increasing the likelihood of earlier Fed rate cuts. Such a scenario is inherently bullish for risk assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as it encourages investors to seek higher returns outside of traditional safe havens. Analysts from Bitfinex reinforced this view, stating that a softer report could reinforce the disinflation narrative, potentially prompting the Federal Reserve to consider rate cuts sooner, which would be bullish for risk assets like Bitcoin. This direct correlation between traditional economic indicators and crypto performance underscores the growing integration and maturity of the digital asset market within the broader global financial system.

Furthermore, the relentless influx of institutional capital continued to be a powerful demand driver. On-chain analytics from Santiment revealed that Bitcoin whales, specifically those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, have accumulated a significant 122,330 coins over the past six weeks. This substantial accumulation by influential market participants indicates strong underlying buying pressure, which is a key factor in preventing Bitcoin from experiencing a prolonged slide below the $100,000 mark. The success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US, which have collectively reached a staggering $100 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM), and Bitcoin’s increasing integration into hedge fund portfolios, clearly signal broader institutional acceptance and legitimization of the asset class. This consistent flow of institutional capital provides deep liquidity and fundamental support, underpinning current price stability and future growth projections. The ongoing trend of major corporations, such as MicroStrategy, adding Bitcoin to their treasury reserves, is also anticipated to gain further momentum, solidifying Bitcoin’s strategic position within the financial ecosystem.

A pivotal development contributing to market confidence was the noticeable shift in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approach towards digital assets, moving towards greater acceptance and regulatory clarity. The SEC’s planned events in June 2025, including a dedicated roundtable on “DeFi and the American Spirit” on June 9th, illustrate a proactive stance aimed at integrating decentralized finance into traditional financial structures. Most significantly, the SEC recently relaxed its digital asset rules for broker-dealers, issuing new guidance on how financial institutions should handle crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This updated guidance clarifies existing securities laws and provides a much-needed framework for compliance and record management, explicitly designed to encourage greater institutional adoption of digital assets. The permission for transfer agents to leverage blockchain technology for secure and compliant recordkeeping represents a groundbreaking step towards integrating blockchain into the core traditional financial infrastructure. Chainlink’s instrumental role in shaping this guidance, leading to the inclusion of terms like “unified golden records” and “smart-contract-driven compliance,” further validates the use of public blockchains within securities infrastructure. This increasing regulatory clarity significantly reduces market uncertainty, fostering investor confidence and paving the way for broader mainstream participation.

Finally, the AI-based crypto market experienced substantial growth, with its market capitalization increasing by nearly $6 billion in the past 30 days, from $32.46 billion to $38.08 billion. This significant inflow of funds positions AI tokens as strong contenders to lead the next market rally, particularly as capital continues to rotate across various crypto sectors. Positive updates and advancements from leading AI companies such as OpenAI, Google Gemini, and DeepSeek are also expected to bolster price predictions and trigger double-digit price spikes for AI-related cryptocurrencies. The bullish technical indicators and ecosystem growth observed in specific AI tokens like NEAR, FET, and ICP further contributed to the overall market optimism and directed capital towards this innovative sector.

These individual drivers—macroeconomic signals, sustained institutional accumulation, favorable regulatory shifts, and the emergence of the AI-driven crypto sector—are not isolated but rather form a powerful, reinforcing feedback loop. A softer economic outlook increases the probability of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, which typically reduces the appeal of traditional fixed-income assets and increases investor appetite for riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. This directly translates into greater institutional capital allocation, often through established vehicles like Bitcoin ETFs. As more institutional money enters the market, it creates demand and legitimizes the asset class, increasing pressure on regulators for clearer guidelines. The SEC responds with more accommodating guidance, such as easing rules for broker-dealers and recognizing blockchain technology for securities infrastructure. This clarity reduces uncertainty and compliance burdens, encouraging even more institutions and mainstream businesses to participate, thus restarting the cycle with stronger foundations. This intricate causal chain suggests that the cryptocurrency market’s growth is no longer solely a function of retail speculation or internal blockchain developments. It is increasingly intertwined with global macroeconomic policy and the strategic decisions of major financial institutions and regulatory bodies. This signifies a maturation of the asset class, implying more stable, albeit still volatile, growth driven by fundamental economic and structural shifts rather than purely speculative fervor.

2. Important News Headlines of the Week

• Bitcoin Price Predictions Eye $125K in June Amid Macroeconomic Catalysts 
• SEC Announces June 2025 Events, Eases Crypto Rules for Broker-Dealers 
• Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Marks Significant Technical Evolution and Scaling Efforts 
• Coinbase Faces Class Action Lawsuits Over Security Breach Scandals 
• Bitcoin Adoption Stalls at 4% Worldwide Despite Surging Institutional Gains 
• Top 3 Crypto AI: NEAR, FET, and ICP Predicted to Double in June 2025 Amid Capital Inflows 
• NFT Market Experiences Modest Recovery with Increased Buyer Activity 
• Major Indexes Rise as Nvidia Leads Tech Gains, Crypto Stocks Follow 
• Three Major Token Unlocks Scheduled for June 2025 (ZKsync, Vana, LayerZero) 
• DeFi Lending TVL Outpaces DEXs, Signifying Shift Towards Sustainable Yield 

3. In-Depth Market Analysis

Technical Analysis: Price Action & Key Levels

The week of June 3rd to 9th, 2025, saw varied performance across major cryptocurrencies, reflecting distinct technical postures and market dynamics.

Bitcoin (BTC):

Bitcoin commenced the week of June 3rd at approximately $105,884.7 and concluded on June 9th at $105,692.2, demonstrating remarkable stability around the $105,000-$106,000 range.13 Throughout the week, it experienced minor fluctuations, hitting an intraday high of $106,900 on June 3rd.14 Daily closing values included $105,434.5 (June 4th), $104,812.9 (June 5th), $101,650.7 (June 6th), $104,409.7 (June 7th), and $105,681.5 (June 8th).13 This consistent performance above $100,000 indicates strong underlying support.

Analysts project Bitcoin could target the $120,000–$125,000 range as early as June, contingent on maintaining support above $105,000. Bitunix analysts identified a short-term pressure point (resistance) around $110,800, which has historically halted rebounds, and pinpointed $108,000 as the primary long defense zone (support). A decisive breakdown below $108,000 could trigger significant profit-taking and shift the market structure towards a bearish bias.

Bitcoin recently achieved a new all-time high of $111,814 on May 22nd and, despite a slight retracement, does not appear poised for a prolonged correction. From a technical perspective, the daily chart illustrates that Bitcoin broke above the upper trendline of a descending triangle pattern and has successfully maintained its position above this breakout point. Furthermore, a “golden cross” has been observed, where the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) (blue) crossed above the 50-day EMA (yellow). This is a classic bullish signal that reinforces the case for a potential uptrend. As long as this bullish trend holds, BTC is likely to retest the $111,810 level in June, which, if successful, could pave the way for the next points of interest between $116,000 and $120,000.

On-chain data from Santiment indicates robust accumulation activity, with Bitcoin whales (entities holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC) having acquired an impressive 122,330 coins over the last six weeks. This substantial accumulation by a historically influential cohort signals strong underlying buying pressure. Glassnode’s accumulation trend score, currently at 0.88, further supports this, suggesting that accumulation continues to outweigh distribution despite some recent profit-taking. This sustained whale activity is a significant bullish fundamental signal.

Ethereum (ETH):

Ethereum was trading at $2,508.78 on June 9th, 2025.13 It saw a modest 0.95% increase on June 4th, trading at $2,506.69.10 The cryptocurrency had an impressive May, achieving its strongest monthly close of the year and surging over 50% in the preceding 30 days, although it had yet to reclaim the $3,000 mark by the end of May.

According to IntoTheBlock data, Ethereum’s most robust support zone lies between $2,316 and $2,402. Within this range, approximately 2.59 million addresses accumulated over 64 million ETH positions, which are now comfortably in profit. This substantial volume held in profit within the support zone suggests that Ethereum may not encounter heavy selling pressure as its price climbs. Price forecasts for June 2025 vary, with Changelly predicting an average price of around $2,857.20, a potential high of $3,122.77, and a low of $2,591.63.

On the daily chart, Ethereum has formed a “bull flag” pattern, which is a recognized bullish continuation pattern. The Money Flow Index (MFI) reading for ETH has consistently climbed, indicating a rising trend in buying pressure. If this positive trend persists into the upcoming month, ETH’s price could potentially reach $3,069, aligning with the 0.618 golden ratio.

Despite recent price increases, Ethereum’s market dominance has experienced a notable decline, dropping to 13.1%. This marks its lowest market share since 2021, primarily attributed to heightened competition from other Layer-1 platforms such as Solana. Additionally, while Layer-2 scaling solutions have successfully reduced transaction fees, they have significantly impacted Ethereum’s direct revenue, which saw a dramatic 99% drop after the Dencun upgrade.

XRP:

XRP was trading at $2.263 on June 9th, 2025. The token notably failed to retest the significant $3 mark throughout the month of May. Technical analysis for XRP shows prevailing bearish momentum. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading has turned negative.2 Furthermore, a bearish crossover occurred as the 12-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) (blue) crossed below the 26-day EMA (orange). Should this bearish technical posture persist into June, XRP’s price could potentially drop below the $2.28 support level. Analysts suggest XRP might decline further to $1.94 amidst this bearish momentum, unless a significant increase in adoption or demand triggers a reversal. A notable development on June 4th was Nasdaq-listed Webus filing with the SEC for a potential $300 million XRP reserve strategy 3, which, if realized, could serve as a positive catalyst for XRP.

When analyzing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP, the observed divergence in their technical and fundamental narratives is noteworthy. Bitcoin exhibits strong institutional accumulation , bullish technical patterns like the golden cross and descending triangle breakout , and expert predictions for significant upside. This suggests a clear narrative of a legitimate, institutionally-backed store of value. Ethereum, while showing bullish technical patterns (bull flag, rising MFI) and price targets , is fundamentally battling declining market share and revenue impacts from its own Layer-2 scaling solutions. This points to an ecosystem in transition, where the value capture mechanism is evolving. XRP is explicitly bearish on technical indicators (negative MACD, bearish EMA crossover), with predictions of further drops. Its fate seems heavily tied to specific adoption news and regulatory clarity, rather than broader market sentiment. This divergence signifies a maturing crypto market where the “rising tide lifts all boats” phenomenon may be less pronounced. Investors are becoming more discerning, allocating capital based on distinct fundamental drivers, technical health, and specific use cases for each asset. Bitcoin is solidifying its role as a macro asset, Ethereum is evolving as a foundational but increasingly decentralized ecosystem, and altcoins like XRP face unique challenges and opportunities. This requires investors to adopt a more nuanced and selective approach, moving beyond generalized crypto market sentiment to asset-specific analysis.

Major Cryptocurrency Price Performance (June 3-9, 2025)

Date	Bitcoin (BTC) Price (USD)	Ethereum (ETH) Price (USD)	XRP Price (USD)
June 03, 2025	105884.7	2506.69	2.263
June 04, 2025	105434.5	2506.69	2.263
June 05, 2025	104812.9	2506.69	2.263
June 06, 2025	101650.7	2506.69	2.263
June 07, 2025	104409.7	2506.69	2.263
June 08, 2025	105681.5	2506.69	2.263
June 09, 2025	105692.2	2508.78	2.263

Note: Ethereum and XRP prices for June 3-8, 2025, are based on the latest available data point for that period, as daily fluctuations were not provided in the same granular detail as Bitcoin. 

Fundamental Analysis: Drivers & Developments

The fundamental landscape of the crypto market during the week was shaped by significant regulatory movements, continued institutional engagement, and the ongoing influence of macroeconomic factors.

Regulatory Developments:

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has actively scheduled several key events in June 2025, underscoring a strategic initiative to address the evolving landscape of digital assets and their integration into traditional financial systems.5 The “2025 Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management” on June 5th featured a significant panel on “Digital Assets and Tokenization.” Experts discussed how tokenized funds, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain tools are actively reshaping traditional investment models, with a clear emphasis on the SEC’s increasing involvement in digital markets.

A crucial event was the “DeFi and the American Spirit” Roundtable hosted by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force on June 9th. This session brought together diverse stakeholders—thinkers, builders, and regulators—to deliberate on the future of decentralized finance and its alignment with American innovation and investor protection principles. Commissioner Hester Peirce, a prominent voice in the crypto space and head of the Crypto Task Force, expressed her anticipation for insights on fostering a regulatory environment conducive to DeFi’s growth.

A significant regulatory easing occurred with the SEC relaxing its digital asset rules for broker-dealers. This new guidance clarifies existing securities laws and provides a much-needed framework for compliance and record management, explicitly stated to encourage greater institutional adoption of digital assets. Notably, the new guidelines permit transfer agents to utilize blockchain technology for secure and compliant recordkeeping, marking a substantial step towards integrating blockchain into traditional financial infrastructure. Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network, played an instrumental role in shaping this new SEC guidance. Through demonstrations of how smart contracts and privacy technologies can comply with securities regulations, Chainlink’s collaboration led to the inclusion of key terms like “unified golden records” and “smart-contract-driven compliance” in the updated SEC documents. This development strategically positions public blockchains for recognized use within securities infrastructure. While specific new guidance from the Federal Reserve and OCC for June 3-9, 2025, is not detailed in the provided information, the broader context from prior months indicates a trend among U.S. financial regulators towards charting a new path forward for the crypto industry. This includes the Federal Reserve withdrawing previous crypto guidance and the OCC confirming that national banks can provide crypto custody and execution services under existing law. This general shift towards clearer and more accommodating regulatory frameworks acts as a positive fundamental driver for the industry.

The SEC’s actions—hosting conferences and roundtables focused on digital assets, relaxing rules for broker-dealers, and collaborating with entities like Chainlink to integrate blockchain into traditional securities infrastructure—represent a strategic and deliberate shift from a predominantly enforcement-centric approach to one that actively facilitates the integration of digital assets into the mainstream financial system. The explicit mention of “encouraging greater institutional adoption” and recognizing “public blockchains for use in securities infrastructure”  is a powerful signal. This move significantly de-risks the crypto space for large, traditionally conservative financial institutions that require clear regulatory frameworks to operate. This regulatory evolution is a critical, long-term catalyst for the crypto market. It acts as a foundational bridge, enabling cryptocurrencies to transition from a niche, speculative asset class to a more legitimate and integrated component of the global financial infrastructure. This suggests that the “Wild West” era of crypto is gradually giving way to a more structured, compliant, and institutionalized environment, which is essential for attracting the vast pools of capital held by traditional finance.

Institutional Activity & Adoption:

The success of Spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US has been profound, with Assets Under Management (AUM) reaching a substantial $100 billion. This signifies a strong and sustained inflow of institutional capital into the Bitcoin market. Bitcoin is also increasingly being integrated into hedge fund portfolios, indicating a broader and deeper acceptance among traditional financial institutions. The growing trend of corporations, exemplified by MicroStrategy, incorporating Bitcoin into their treasury reserves is expected to continue and gain further momentum. This solidifies Bitcoin’s position as a legitimate and strategic asset within corporate finance. A notable development for the altcoin space was the Nasdaq-listed firm Webus filing with the SEC on June 4th for a potential $300 million XRP reserve strategy. If this strategy materializes, it could signal growing institutional demand and a significant positive catalyst for XRP. Despite these institutional gains, global Bitcoin adoption remains relatively low at 4% of the world population as of 2025.3 North America leads regional adoption at 10.7%, benefiting from higher financial literacy and favorable regulatory environments. Key challenges to wider adoption include a high knowledge hurdle for potential users and persistent concerns over Bitcoin’s volatility. However, continued institutional acceptance and increasing regulatory clarity are anticipated to drive further mainstream adoption.

 

Macroeconomic Factors:

The impending U.S. jobs report is a critical macroeconomic event with significant implications for Bitcoin. A weaker-than-expected Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) figure or an increase in the unemployment rate would signal a cooling labor market, thereby increasing the likelihood of the Federal Reserve implementing earlier interest rate cuts. Such a scenario is generally bullish for risk assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, as it encourages investor appetite for higher returns.1 Conversely, a stronger-than-expected jobs report could delay rate cuts, potentially strengthening the dollar and exerting downward pressure on Bitcoin.

The impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the cryptocurrency market has been mixed and highly reactive. Earlier reports indicated that cryptocurrency prices, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, had experienced a decline amidst a “tariff-driven pullback,” as investors sold off riskier assets. However, a significant reversal occurred on April 9th when prices of cryptocurrencies and crypto-related stocks (such as Coinbase Global and MicroStrategy) surged after President Trump announced a pause on new tariffs for 75 countries that had not retaliated. This demonstrates the market’s acute sensitivity to global trade policy and broader economic stability. The suspension of certain tariff enforcements until July 9, 2025 , provides a temporary reprieve, highlighting how quickly market sentiment can shift in response to such policy changes.

While the anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts is clearly bullish for crypto , and the pause in President Trump’s tariffs led to an immediate market rally , this growing sensitivity to macroeconomic factors carries a significant implication. The market’s direct and swift reactions to U.S. jobs reports and trade policy changes demonstrate that crypto’s performance is no longer entirely decoupled from traditional financial markets. This increasing integration, while bringing legitimacy, liquidity, and capital, also exposes the crypto market to the same vulnerabilities and systemic risks that affect traditional assets. Investors must now pay closer attention to global economic indicators, inflation data, interest rate decisions, and international trade policies, as these factors will directly influence crypto asset prices. This signifies a maturation of the asset class but also a departure from its early narrative as a completely uncorrelated “safe haven” or alternative investment. It necessitates a more holistic analytical approach that incorporates both crypto-specific and traditional financial market analysis.

Sentiment Analysis: Gauging Market Mood

Market sentiment during the week of June 3-9, 2025, as reflected by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, indicated a fluctuating but generally cautiously optimistic mood.

 

Fear & Greed Index:

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index for June 3-9, 2025, indicated a fluctuating market sentiment, moving between periods of greed and neutrality, with a brief dip into fear.

Date	Index Value	Sentiment
June 09, 2025	N/A	N/A
June 08, 2025	62	Greed
June 07, 2025	52	Neutral
June 06, 2025	45	Neutral (Fearful)
June 05, 2025	57	Neutral (Greed)
June 04, 2025	62	Greed
June 03, 2025	N/A	N/A

Note: The index value for June 9, 2025, was not explicitly provided as a daily value in the source table, but the article was updated on that date. The value for June 3, 2025, was also not explicitly provided in the daily values table. 

On June 8th and 4th, the index registered “Greed” at 62, signifying strong positive sentiment and anticipation of price increases. June 7th and 5th were categorized as “Neutral” with values of 52 and 57 respectively. While 57 leans towards greed, a neutral reading indicates indecision or a balanced sentiment among traders. Importantly, on June 6th, the index dipped to 45, indicating a “Fearful” market sentiment. This brief period of apprehension or profit-taking was quickly followed by a rebound. The overall trend suggests a week of cautious optimism, where periods of strong positive sentiment were interspersed with moments of indecision or slight apprehension, indicating a market reactive to short-term news and price movements.

The Fear & Greed Index showing multiple “Neutral” days (52, 45, 57) amidst expert bullish predictions for Bitcoin  might seem contradictory at first glance. However, a deeper interpretation reveals a more nuanced market psychology. “Neutral” doesn’t necessarily imply a lack of interest or apathy. In a context where major assets are holding strong levels (Bitcoin above $100K) and long-term outlooks are positive, “neutral” can signify a period of consolidation. After significant upward moves, investors might pause, re-evaluate their positions, and engage in healthy profit-taking. This can lead to a temporary balance between buying and selling pressure, resulting in a neutral sentiment. The brief dip into “Fear” (45) on June 6th, followed by a quick rebound into “Neutral” and “Greed,” indicates that there is underlying buying interest on dips. This prevents deeper corrections and suggests that market participants are using pullbacks as accumulation opportunities. This pattern suggests a market that is not overly euphoric or driven by irrational exuberance, which can be a healthier sign for sustainable growth. It implies that while there is underlying bullish conviction, traders and investors are also cautious and reactive to short-term data points and minor corrections. This balanced sentiment could contribute to a more sustainable growth phase rather than a speculative bubble prone to sharp, sudden crashes.

Social Media Trends and Analyst Opinions:

While specific social media trends for the exact week were not detailed, the prevailing sentiment among experts regarding Bitcoin remained highly bullish. Price predictions for Bitcoin continued to eye targets such as $125,000 in June and a broader range of $150,000-$200,000 by year-end 2025.1 Tom Lee, a notable analyst, predicted Bitcoin could reach $150,000-$250,000 this year, driven by global liquidity expansion and supply-demand imbalances.1 Bitfinex analysts echoed this optimism, believing Bitcoin could target $120,000–$125,000 if it maintained support above $105,000.1 For Ethereum, despite challenges to its market share, its technical indicators reflected a neutral to bullish sentiment, with a reported 67% bullish market sentiment and a Fear & Greed Index score of 57 (Greed).10 The overall crypto market capitalization grew faster than Bitcoin last month, indicating a broader positive sentiment across altcoins, suggesting a “risk-on” mentality was gaining traction.

New Technology and Upgrades: Advancing the Ecosystem

The week saw significant developments in blockchain technology, particularly concerning Ethereum’s ongoing upgrades and scheduled token unlocks for several projects.

Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade:

The Pectra upgrade represents a significant technical evolution for the Ethereum network. It is the first phase of a crucial two-part upgrade, with the second phase, Fusaka, slated for late 2025.9 This phased approach underscores Ethereum’s commitment to continuous improvement and long-term scalability. Pectra introduces a suite of enhancements, including increased staking limits and the implementation of account abstraction. These features are designed to facilitate gas fee subsidies and significantly improve smart contract deployment and the development of multi-chain applications through several new Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).

Specific EIPs within Pectra include EIP-7691, which notably increases the number of data blobs that can be included per block, thereby enhancing Ethereum’s data availability layer. This is crucial for Layer-2 solutions and overall network throughput. EIP-2935 makes recent block hashes directly accessible on-chain, a critical advancement for enabling more trustless oracle services and facilitating seamless cross-layer communication within the Ethereum ecosystem. EIP-6110 streamlines the validator onboarding process by moving deposit processing to the execution layer. This change is expected to significantly reduce validator activation times to under 15 minutes, improving network efficiency and participation. These upgrades collectively enable large staking services to operate with greater efficiency, requiring fewer validators while simultaneously bolstering decentralization through improved economic incentives. The enhancements aim for greater liquidity and flexibility, particularly benefiting services managing pooled or delegated staking. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s ambitious plan to scale Ethereum’s Layer 1 tenfold within 18 months, building upon the foundation laid by the Pectra upgrade, further highlights the long-term vision for the network’s scalability and performance.

The information highlights both Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade  and its declining market share/revenue due to Layer-1 competition and Layer-2 solutions. This is not contradictory; rather, it points to Ethereum actively pursuing a long-term strategic adaptation. Ethereum recognizes the challenges posed by high gas fees and network congestion, leading to the rise of competing Layer-1s and the necessity of Layer-2 solutions. The Pectra upgrade, with its focus on data availability (EIP-7691), oracle services (EIP-2935), and validator efficiency (EIP-6110) , is not just a technical update; it is a direct response to these scalability and efficiency demands. Vitalik Buterin’s ambitious scaling plans further reinforce this. While Layer-2s reduce direct Layer-1 revenue, they significantly enhance the usability and accessibility of the Ethereum ecosystem. This implies a shift in Ethereum’s value capture mechanism: less direct transaction fees on the mainnet, more value derived from the vast, thriving ecosystem built on top of it. This indicates that Ethereum is not resting on its laurels but is actively evolving to maintain its position as the leading smart contract platform. Its strategy is to become a robust, secure, and scalable settlement layer for a multi-chain future, rather than solely a direct transaction processor. This long-term vision, even with short-term trade-offs in direct revenue, positions Ethereum for sustained relevance and growth as the broader crypto ecosystem expands.

Key Token Unlocks (June 2025):

Three substantial token unlocks are scheduled for June 2025, collectively valued at approximately $133 million. These events have the potential to significantly influence market dynamics and trigger short-term price volatility due to increased supply.

On June 17th, 770 million ZKsync (ZK) tokens, valued at approximately $41.61 million, will be unlocked. This represents almost 21% of the token’s market capitalization, with allocations to investors (11%) and the project team (11%). ZKsync is a Layer 2 scalability solution for Ethereum utilizing zk-rollups. The release of such a large volume of tokens could create considerable selling pressure, especially given that ZK was already down 11% in the last week of May.

On June 16th, 5.19 million Vana (VANA) tokens, worth about $35.25 million, are scheduled for release. The distribution includes allocations for community initiatives (8.98%) and ecosystem expansion (1.65%). Vana operates as a decentralized data marketplace. While VANA saw an 18% price increase in the last week of May, indicating bullish sentiment, this unlock will serve as a critical test for that sentiment, and investors should be cautious of potential heavy selling.

On June 20th, 24.68 million LayerZero (ZRO) tokens, with an approximate value of $56.72 million, will be unlocked. These tokens are allocated to strategic partners (4%), core contributors (4%), and team buybacks (4%). LayerZero is an omnichain interoperability protocol designed to connect various blockchain networks. Although ZRO experienced a 10% decline in the last week of May, this unlock could provide new momentum for the token, depending on the market’s response to the increased supply.

The detailed information about these token unlocks goes beyond simple news reporting; it points to a predictable supply-side event that can significantly impact market dynamics. Large token unlocks introduce a substantial amount of new supply into the market. This supply often comes from early investors or team members who may be looking to realize profits. As these tokens become liquid, there is an inherent risk of increased selling pressure, especially if market sentiment is weak or if early investors have significant unrealized gains. The fact that ZK and ZRO were already down in late May suggests the market was anticipating and pricing in some of this potential selling. This influx of supply can lead to short-term price volatility, creating both risks for existing holders and opportunities for traders. These scheduled unlocks are not just isolated events; they are critical liquidity moments that can significantly impact a token’s short-term price action. For active traders, they represent predictable opportunities to either short the token before the unlock or “buy the dip” after the initial sell-off. For long-term investors, it is a crucial reminder to understand a project’s tokenomics and vesting schedules, as large unlocks can lead to dilution and temporary price suppression, requiring a longer-term investment horizon to ride out such events. It highlights the importance of supply-side analysis in crypto markets.

DeFi & NFT Market Performance

The decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) markets exhibited distinct trends during the week, characterized by significant growth projections, strategic capital shifts, and signs of recovery.

DeFi Market Growth & Projections:

The decentralized finance (DeFi) market is poised for explosive growth, with its global size projected to expand from USD 32.36 billion in 2025 to an estimated USD 1,558.15 billion by 2034, demonstrating a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 53.80%.23 This robust growth is primarily fueled by increasing demand for transparent, accessible, and permissionless financial services, the surging adoption of cryptocurrencies, the allure of attractive yield opportunities (such as yield farming and staking), and the broader global economic uncertainty which encourages exploration of decentralized alternatives. North America held the largest share of the DeFi market in 2024 (37%), while the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This accelerated growth in Asia Pacific is driven by a highly tech-savvy population, a growing demand for financial inclusion, expanded internet connectivity, and a strong inclination towards digital innovation.

 

Total Value Locked (TVL) Changes:

DeFi lending protocols have reached new highs in Total Value Locked (TVL), now standing at $53.6 billion, representing 43% of the total $124.6 billion locked across all DeFi protocols. This indicates that DeFi lending is currently the leading vertical by TVL, outpacing decentralized exchanges (DEXs) due to a perceived demand for more sustainable yield opportunities. Ethereum maintained its leading position in DeFi TVL, with approximately $49.014 billion, despite experiencing a slight decline of 1.02% in the 24 hours leading up to June 3rd, 2025.24 Other major chains, including Solana and Bitcoin, also saw their TVLs drop by 7.45% and 23.50% respectively within the same period, suggesting a broader, albeit minor, downward trend across certain segments of the DeFi market. However, this was accompanied by significant capital rotation: Aptos (APT) saw its TVL surge past $1 billion (a 150% increase in a few days), becoming the 11th largest blockchain by TVL, and Sonic (S) reached $935 million (a 3.1% increase in 24 hours), ranking 12th globally. EigenLayer, an Ethereum-based liquid restaking protocol, demonstrated exceptional growth, experiencing a remarkable 170% TVL surge within a single week, reaching $5.67 billion. This propelled EigenLayer to become the fifth-largest DeFi protocol globally, surpassing Uniswap.

While the overall DeFi TVL for major chains like Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin experienced slight declines in a 24-hour period, a deeper look reveals that specific protocols like EigenLayer saw massive TVL surges, and lending protocols collectively outpaced DEXs in TVL. This is not a uniform market contraction but rather a sophisticated internal capital rotation. The dominance of lending TVL over DEXs suggests investors are prioritizing more “sustainable yield” opportunities over potentially higher-risk, higher-volume trading activities. The explosive growth of EigenLayer demonstrates that capital is actively seeking out and flowing into innovative new protocols or sub-sectors within DeFi that offer novel value propositions (e.g., liquid restaking). The TVL shifts between different chains (Aptos, Sonic gaining while others dip) indicate a dynamic rebalancing of liquidity across the multi-chain DeFi landscape. This suggests a maturing DeFi market where capital is becoming more discerning and efficient in its allocation. It is no longer a simple “all boats rise” scenario; instead, funds are moving towards protocols and chains that demonstrate strong fundamentals, innovative features, or superior yield opportunities. This internal dynamism is a sign of a healthy, evolving ecosystem that is adapting to market demands and developing more complex financial primitives.

Top DeFi Protocols:

Key Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) to monitor in June 2025 include Orca, PancakeSwap V3, SushiSwap, Raydium, Curve Finance, 1inch, dYdX, Shadow Exchange, and THORChain. These platforms offer a diverse range of services, from efficient token trading and concentrated liquidity to cross-chain swaps, yield farming, and advanced trading features for professional traders.

 

NFT Market Trends:

The non-fungible token (NFT) market is projected for substantial growth, with its size expanding from $43.08 billion in 2024 to an estimated $61.01 billion in 2025, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 41.6%.27 The NFT market showed signs of a modest recovery during the week, with trading volume increasing by 1.95% to reach $106.2 million. Notably, the number of NFT buyers surged by 55.08% (totaling 826,992), and the number of sellers rose by 18.12% (to 257,017), despite a 24.94% decrease in total NFT transactions.

Ethereum maintained its leading position in NFT trading volume at $30.3 million, despite a 15.57% decrease from the previous week. The Immutable network experienced a significant surge, rising to second place with a 123.21% increase to $16.4 million. The Bitcoin network also saw notable growth, ranking third with a trading volume of $15.1 million, up 17.81% week-over-week. Conversely, the Solana network experienced a decline in its NFT trading volume. The increasing demand for digital artwork and the surging growth of the online gaming industry are identified as primary drivers for the NFT market’s expansion. Gaming NFTs, specifically, are projected to grow from $4.8 billion in 2024 to $44.1 billion by 2034 (CAGR of 24.8%), fueled by the rise of decentralized gaming ecosystems and growing interest in digital asset ownership.

Despite past speculative bubbles and broader crypto market volatility, the NFT market showed a “modest recovery” with a significant surge in buyer activity. The long-term projections for the overall NFT market and, more specifically, gaming NFTs are highly bullish. The increase in buyer activity suggests genuine interest beyond mere speculation, possibly driven by the increasing demand for digital art and in-game assets. The strong projections for gaming NFTs, fueled by decentralized gaming ecosystems and interoperability, indicate a shift from purely collectible or artistic NFTs to those with tangible utility within virtual worlds and games. This focus on utility and integration into established industries (like gaming) provides a more sustainable foundation for NFT growth, moving beyond the initial hype cycle. This reinforces the idea that NFTs are not a fleeting trend but a fundamental shift in digital ownership and value creation. The gaming sector, with its massive user base and focus on interoperable digital assets, is poised to be a primary catalyst for sustained NFT growth. This suggests that the NFT market is maturing, transitioning from speculative digital collectibles to a robust segment driven by real-world (or rather, real-digital-world) utility and integration into burgeoning metaverse and gaming economies.

Security Breaches: Coinbase Incident

The week brought a stark reminder of the security risks inherent in centralized cryptocurrency platforms, highlighted by a significant data breach involving Coinbase.

Coinbase Data Breach Details:

Coinbase, the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, found itself embroiled in multiple class action lawsuits in May 2025 following a significant data breach. The breach impacted a substantial 69,461 users. The incident reportedly commenced as early as December 26, 2024, and continued undetected until Coinbase received a credible ransom note in May 2025, highlighting a prolonged period of vulnerability.

The breach was attributed to hackers who bribed overseas customer support agents to illicitly extract sensitive customer data from Coinbase’s internal systems. The compromised information included names, contact details, masked Social Security Numbers (SSNs), and bank data. Crucially, Coinbase confirmed that passwords, private keys, or direct access to customer funds were not compromised, and Coinbase Prime accounts remained unaffected. The attackers attempted to leverage the stolen information to conduct social engineering scams, impersonating Coinbase to trick users.

At least six class action lawsuits were filed against Coinbase between May 15th and May 16th, 2025. These lawsuits, initiated in federal courts across New York and California, accuse Coinbase of failing to uphold stringent security protocols, thereby leaving users vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud. The lawsuits allege that Coinbase’s negligence could lead to “substantial, immediate, and ongoing threats” for affected users, with potential long-term consequences given that the compromised data cannot be recovered. One lawsuit in California specifically demands that Coinbase purge sensitive user data and hire third-party auditors to test its security systems.

Coinbase’s Response:

Coinbase refused to pay the $20 million ransom demanded by the hackers.11 The exchange has flagged plans to reimburse users who were tricked into sending crypto to phishing scammers, with estimated expenses ranging from $180 million to $400 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Coinbase has not directly commented on the lawsuits but has pointed to a blog post outlining its response to the breach. The exchange’s filing confirmed the breach’s timeline and the number of affected users. This incident is not new for Coinbase, as it faced similar lawsuits in 2023 over security lapses. In response to the data leak, Coinbase implemented several new security measures, including opening a new US-based customer support hub, strengthening insider threat detection systems, adding mandatory scam-awareness prompts, and ID checks for flagged accounts. Coinbase is also actively collaborating with law enforcement agencies to trace the stolen funds.

The Coinbase data breach, particularly its prolonged nature and the involvement of insider compromise, underscores the critical importance of robust internal security protocols and comprehensive risk management in centralized cryptocurrency platforms. While user funds were not directly compromised, the exposure of sensitive personal data for nearly 70,000 users highlights a significant vulnerability. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even leading exchanges are susceptible to sophisticated attacks that exploit human elements (e.g., bribed agents). The subsequent class-action lawsuits and estimated reimbursement costs of up to $400 million  illustrate the severe financial and reputational repercussions of such security failures. This event reinforces the ongoing debate about the trade-offs between the convenience and liquidity offered by centralized exchanges versus the self-custody and censorship resistance inherent in decentralized solutions. For the broader crypto ecosystem, it emphasizes the continuous need for enhanced security measures, transparent incident response, and user education to mitigate risks and build trust, especially as institutional adoption grows. It also highlights the evolving nature of threats, moving beyond direct hacks to more insidious social engineering and insider-enabled data exfiltration.

4. Fortuna AI Insights

The AI-based crypto market has demonstrated significant growth and is positioned for a potential rally in June 2025. The market capitalization for AI-based crypto increased from $32.46 billion to $38.08 billion in the past 30 days, recording an inflow of funds of nearly $6 billion. This substantial capital flow suggests that AI tokens are expected to lead the next market rally, especially as the broader crypto market experiences capital rotation into various sectors. Updates from top AI companies such as OpenAI, Google Gemini, and DeepSeek are also anticipated to strengthen price predictions and trigger double-digit price spikes for these tokens.

Specific AI tokens are showing strong technical indicators and growth potential:

NEAR Protocol (NEAR):

NEAR Protocol has gained nearly 20% throughout May and is approaching the psychological $3 level, trading at $2.94. It is forming the “right shoulder” of an Inverse Head and Shoulders pattern on the daily price chart. The uptrend is nearing the supply zone at the $3 level, which acts as the neckline of the pattern. The MACD (Moving Average Convergence/Divergence) indicator is also approaching its signal line, signaling a possible bullish crossover, indicating a potential trend reversal.8 Significant growth in Total Value Locked (TVL) in Near Protocol, which rose to $173 million from this year’s low of $124 million on April 9, and consistent transaction volume on Near’s DEX above $17 million for the third consecutive day, support this potential increase.8 If the price manages to break the neckline at $3 cleanly, the next supply zone at $3.50 is likely to be tested, with potential for further gains reaching nearly 20% if it breaks and holds above $3.50.8

 

Artificial SuperIntelligence Alliance (FET):

FET traded at $0.91, recording a gain of 21% so far in May, continuing a 62% rally from April. As FET approaches the $1 psychological level, the current uptrend is forming a support trend line…source the uptrend potential. The nearest resistance zone, according to IntoTheBlock’s Global In/Out of the Money (GIOM) indicator, was between $0.93 and $1.02, where about 2,020 investors bought 35.02 million FET tokens at an average price of $0.97. This zone has a lower supply compared to the current “At the Money” zone ($0.84 and $0.93), increasing the likelihood of an uptrend continuation above the $1 level. If the bullish trend continues, investors are expected to push the price up towards the 50% Fibonacci level at $1.25, which provides up to 25% upside potential if FET manages to break $1.8

Internet Computer (ICP):

ICP is approaching its fifth consecutive bearish monthly close, despite having recorded a 10% gain throughout May. It is trading at $5.51, nearing a 7-day high of $5.84. Momentum indicators support a potential breakout: MACD and its signal line are approaching each other for a potential bullish crossover, and the RSI line is at the 55 level and continues to climb, indicating an increase in the strength of the uptrend.8 The nearest resistance is at $6.08, which aligns with the 23.6% Fibonacci level of the 70% price correction (from $15.22 to $4.58).

These projections suggest that the AI token sector is gaining significant traction, driven by both fundamental developments in AI technology and positive technical indicators. The capital rotation into this sector highlights its growing importance within the broader crypto market.

5. Weekly Analysis and Outlook for the Next Week (3 June onwards)

The week of June 3rd to 9th, 2025, laid a complex foundation for the crypto market’s short-term future, marked by a confluence of macroeconomic anticipation, evolving regulatory clarity, and distinct asset-specific performance.

Bitcoin’s resilience above $100,000, supported by robust institutional accumulation and bullish technical indicators like the golden cross, suggests a strong underlying demand that could push it towards the $116,000-$120,000 range if it retests $111,810. The market’s focus will remain keenly on the upcoming U.S. jobs report. A weaker report is anticipated to reinforce the disinflation narrative, potentially accelerating Federal Reserve rate cuts, which would be a significant bullish catalyst for Bitcoin and other risk assets. Conversely, a stronger report might delay these cuts, potentially strengthening the dollar and exerting downward pressure on crypto prices. This highlights the increasing interconnectedness of crypto with traditional macroeconomic indicators, requiring investors to monitor global economic data closely.

Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, with its focus on scalability, data availability, and validator efficiency, positions the network for long-term growth despite short-term challenges to its market share and revenue from Layer-2 solutions. The bull flag pattern and rising Money Flow Index suggest continued buying pressure, with a potential target of $3,069. The market will continue to observe how Ethereum manages its evolving ecosystem and value capture mechanisms amidst increasing Layer-1 competition.

The regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly favorable, with the SEC actively engaging with digital assets and easing rules for broker-dealers. This shift towards greater clarity and acceptance is a critical long-term driver for institutional adoption, reducing uncertainty and compliance burdens for traditional financial players. The SEC’s roundtable on “DeFi and the American Spirit” on June 9th further signals a proactive approach to integrating decentralized finance into mainstream financial structures. This regulatory progression is expected to foster greater institutional participation and innovation in the crypto space.

The DeFi market continues its robust growth trajectory, with a notable shift in capital towards lending protocols, indicating a preference for more sustainable yield opportunities. The impressive TVL surge in innovative protocols like EigenLayer suggests that capital is becoming more discerning, flowing into projects with strong fundamentals and novel value propositions. Similarly, the NFT market showed signs of recovery, with increased buyer activity and strong long-term growth projections, particularly driven by the integration of NFTs into the gaming sector. This indicates a maturation of both DeFi and NFTs, moving beyond speculative hype towards utility-driven growth and efficient capital allocation.

However, the Coinbase security breach serves as a crucial reminder of the inherent risks in centralized platforms. While Coinbase’s response, including reimbursements and enhanced security measures, is important, the incident underscores the need for robust risk management and due diligence when interacting with centralized entities.

For the upcoming week, key factors to watch include:

• Macroeconomic Data: The immediate aftermath and interpretation of the U.S. jobs report will be paramount, influencing Federal Reserve rate cut expectations and broader market sentiment.
• Regulatory Updates: Any further announcements or detailed guidance from the SEC following its June events could provide additional clarity and impact institutional flows.
• Institutional Flows: Continued monitoring of Bitcoin ETF inflows and any further corporate treasury adoption news will be crucial indicators of sustained institutional interest.
• Token Unlocks: The scheduled unlocks for ZKsync, Vana, and LayerZero in mid-June will introduce significant supply to the market, potentially causing short-term price volatility for these specific tokens.
• AI Token Performance: The AI-driven crypto sector, with predictions for NEAR, FET, and ICP to potentially double, will be a focal point for capital rotation and speculative interest.

The market appears to be navigating a period of significant transition, with increasing institutionalization and regulatory clarity providing a more stable foundation, while simultaneously becoming more susceptible to traditional economic forces.

6. Conclusion

The week of June 3rd to 9th, 2025, underscored a crypto market in a state of dynamic evolution, increasingly influenced by macroeconomic forces and a maturing regulatory environment. Bitcoin demonstrated remarkable stability above $100,000, buoyed by expert predictions and sustained institutional accumulation, which is a testament to its growing acceptance as a legitimate asset class. Ethereum continued its strategic evolution with the Pectra upgrade, aiming for long-term scalability despite short-term challenges to its market dominance. The U.S. SEC’s proactive engagement and easing of rules for broker-dealers signaled a significant step towards mainstream integration, reducing uncertainty for institutional players.

The DeFi and NFT markets exhibited signs of maturation, with capital flowing into innovative DeFi protocols and gaming emerging as a key driver for NFT utility. However, the Coinbase security breach served as a critical reminder of the persistent risks associated with centralized platforms, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance and robust security practices across the ecosystem. The emergence of the AI-driven crypto sector also highlighted a new frontier for growth and capital rotation.

Overall, the market appears to be in a phase of cautious optimism, where underlying bullish sentiment is balanced by a pragmatic awareness of macroeconomic sensitivities and inherent security challenges. The increasing interconnectedness with traditional finance marks a significant shift, demanding a more comprehensive analytical approach from market participants.