Crypto News Review & Fortuna AI Insights – Weekly Recap (June 9 to 15, 2025)

1. Introduction: A Week of Regulatory Momentum and Shifting Market Dynamics

The week of June 9-15, 2025, marked a pivotal period for the cryptocurrency market, characterized by significant legislative progress in the United States, robust institutional adoption, and a notable resurgence in the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) sector. These developments occurred amidst some price volatility, with Bitcoin consolidating near its all-time high and Ethereum demonstrating resilience, while broader macroeconomic and geopolitical factors continued to shape investor sentiment. The underlying forces driving market shifts during this period were multifaceted, pointing towards a maturing digital asset landscape.

A central theme of the week was the palpable movement towards regulatory clarity. The U.S. Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill, represented a landmark legislative step. This bipartisan effort signals a concerted commitment to establishing a clearer, more predictable framework for digital assets in the U.S.. Such advancements are critical for de-risking the crypto space, which historically has faced headwinds from regulatory uncertainty. This reduction in regulatory ambiguity is a fundamental factor that can unlock substantial capital inflows from traditional finance and broaden mainstream acceptance.

Concurrently, the unwavering commitment of institutional players remained a dominant narrative. Large-scale Bitcoin accumulation by entities such as MicroStrategy and the rapid, record-breaking growth of BlackRock’s IBIT Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) underscored a deepening integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional financial systems. This consistent institutional demand provides a robust fundamental floor for major digital assets, affirming their increasing legitimization as investment vehicles.

Furthermore, the week highlighted the inherent strength and ongoing innovation within the broader crypto ecosystem. Ethereum’s continued expansion of its Layer-2 solutions and record-high staking figures underscore its foundational utility and deflationary economic model. Parallel advancements in blockchain transaction speeds and new licensing achievements for crypto payment companies demonstrate continuous technological and operational maturation across the industry.

A significant market development was the pronounced rebound in the NFT market. After a period of cooling, transaction volumes surged, suggesting renewed investor interest and a potential stabilization of the digital collectibles space. This indicates a broadening of market participation beyond just major cryptocurrencies.

Despite these positive trends, the week also underscored persistent security challenges. A series of significant hacks and exploits continued to plague the crypto industry, highlighting the ongoing imperative for robust security measures and a discernible shift in attacker tactics towards social engineering schemes. Understanding these dynamics provides a comprehensive view of the forces at play in the digital asset market, explaining the precise reasons behind both its growth and its inherent risks.

2. List of Important News Titles:

• U.S. Senate Passes GENIUS Act (Stablecoin Bill) in a Bipartisan Vote 
• MicroStrategy Announces $1 Billion Stock Offering to Acquire More Bitcoin 
• MicroStrategy Acquires 10,100 More Bitcoin, Bringing Total Holdings to 592,100 BTC 
• BlackRock’s IBIT Spot Bitcoin ETF Hits $70 Billion AUM in 341 Days, Fastest Growing ETF Ever 
• Ethereum (ETH) Staking Reaches Record 34.8 Million ETH, Nearly 29% of Total Supply 
• NFT Market Rebounds 37.10% with $144.8 Million in Transactions 
• Immutable Network Leads NFT Market Rebound with 156.01% Transaction Volume Increase 
• MoonPay Secures New York BitLicense, Expanding Authorized Crypto Operations 
• Coinbase Launches CFTC-Approved Perpetual Futures for U.S. Retail Investors 
• Tron Group to Go Public in U.S. via Reverse Merger with SRM Entertainment 
• 60% of Fortune 500 Companies Now Actively Using Blockchain 
• Major Crypto Hacks Continue: Cetus DEX ($223M), Cork Protocol ($12M), BitoPro ($11.5M) Exploited 
• CertiK Reports $2.1 Billion Stolen in Crypto Hacks So Far in 2025, Shift to Social Engineering Attacks 
• UK Regulator Proposes Lifting Ban on Individual Investors Purchasing Crypto ETPs 
• Shopify to Integrate USDC Payments by End of 2025 
• Cantor Fitzgerald Asset Management to Launch Gold Protected Bitcoin Fund 
• A16z Crypto Recommends Shift from Digital Asset Foundations to Company-Managed Networks Amidst Regulatory Changes 
• President Trump Advocates U.S. Dominance in Crypto, Pledges Clear Regulatory Framework 
• Vietnam to Legalize Digital Assets by 2026 
• South Korea’s New Administration Supports DeFi Regulation and Stablecoin Adoption 

3. In-Depth Market Analysis

Technical Analysis: Navigating Price Action and Key Levels

The week of June 9th to 15th, 2025, presented a dynamic picture across major cryptocurrencies, with varying degrees of price action and shifts in trading volumes.

Bitcoin (BTC): Price Action and Key Levels

Bitcoin commenced the week on June 9th at approximately $110,269.2. The cryptocurrency experienced a notable decline through the mid-week, reaching a low of $102,739.6 on June 12th. However, it demonstrated a resilient recovery, closing the week at $106,740.4 on June 15th. This price action suggests a period of consolidation, marked by a significant dip that was met with strong buying interest at lower price points.

As of June 9, 2025, Bitcoin faced a key resistance level at $108,000, identified as a recent local high. Market analysts indicated that a decisive breakthrough above this level, supported by strong trading volume, could propel BTC towards the $112,000 zone. Conversely, immediate support was observed at $102,500, which aligned with the 20-day moving average. A more substantial support level was identified at the psychological mark of $98,000, also representing the previous month’s low.

Trading volumes for Bitcoin fluctuated throughout the week. A peak volume of 73.84K was recorded on June 12th, coinciding with the week’s price low, indicating significant trading activity and accumulation during the dip. On June 9th, volumes registered at 58.28K.

While no explicit, overarching chart patterns were definitively confirmed for the entire week, the consistent buying activity from MicroStrategy, often referred to as “Strategy,” continued to foster a bullish sentiment in the market. On-chain analysis provided further context, revealing that Bitcoin whales, specifically those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, had accumulated an impressive 122,330 coins in the six weeks leading up to this period. This sustained accumulation by influential market participants suggests a rising buying pressure that could prevent a prolonged correction below the $100,000 mark.

The market observed a divergence in how capital flowed across different digital assets. While Bitcoin maintained its resilience, likely due to its strong institutional backing, and XRP saw a weekly gain, other altcoins like Avalanche, Chainlink, Cardano, and Solana exhibited more weakness or remained in consolidation phases. This pattern suggests that capital may be rotating towards larger-cap, more established assets, or that a lack of strong, unique catalysts is hindering broader altcoin rallies, with the exception of specific narratives such as the potential Solana ETF approval. This indicates that while overall market sentiment might be positive, it is a selective optimism, primarily focused on assets perceived as more secure or fundamentally robust.

Furthermore, the continuous accumulation efforts by major institutional players, such as MicroStrategy’s ongoing purchases  and the observed anonymous large-scale Bitcoin accumulation (dubbed “Mr. 1736”) , directly influence technical market dynamics by establishing significant demand zones. When large entities consistently buy an asset, they absorb selling pressure, effectively creating strong implicit support levels. MicroStrategy’s announced $1 billion offering to acquire more BTC  and its actual purchase of 10,100 BTC at an average price of $104,080 effectively set a price floor around that level. This institutional buying reduces the readily available supply on exchanges, making substantial downward price movements less probable unless triggered by a major external shock. This fundamental activity translates directly into technical strength, reinforcing psychological support levels and contributing to shallower price corrections.

Table 1: Bitcoin Weekly Price & Volume (June 9-15, 2025)

Date	Price (Close)	Open	High	Low	Volume (K)	Change %
Jun 15, 2025	106,740.4	105,594.0	108,899.3	104,993.8	50.95	+1.09%
Jun 14, 2025	105,591.8	105,421.6	106,098.9	104,502.0	26.22	+0.16%
Jun 13, 2025	105,421.5	106,028.5	106,196.9	104,321.0	30.99	-0.62%
Jun 12, 2025	106,080.3	105,702.7	106,147.0	102,739.6	73.84	+0.36%
Jun 11, 2025	105,703.0	108,662.2	108,776.2	105,703.0	59.87	-2.72%
Jun 10, 2025	108,661.2	110,269.2	110,386.1	108,081.9	44.80	-1.46%
Jun 9, 2025	110,269.2	110,268.3	110,369.2	108,380.6	58.28	0.00%

Ethereum (ETH): Price Action and Key Levels

Ethereum began the week on June 9th at $2,815.73, following a significant 5.06% gain on that particular day. Similar to Bitcoin, ETH experienced a sharp decline during the mid-week, reaching a low of $2,447.78 on June 12th, before recovering to close at $2,538.95 on June 15th. The price movement for Ethereum displayed higher volatility compared to Bitcoin but mirrored a pattern of a mid-week dip followed by a weekend recovery.

From a technical perspective, Ethereum continues to consolidate within a broad ascending triangle, a pattern that typically suggests an eventual breakout above resistance if upward momentum is sustained. For the week in review, ETH faced immediate resistance levels at $2,825 and $3,013. Analysts suggested that a daily close above $3,013 could trigger a rally towards the $4,000 mark, while a failure to break this resistance might lead to a correction towards $2,000. A strong support zone for Ethereum was identified between $2,316 and $2,402, a range where a substantial 2.59 million addresses had accumulated over 64 million ETH, indicating significant underlying demand at these levels.

Trading volumes for Ethereum were notably high at the beginning of the week, with 1.25 million on June 9th, and again on June 12th, registering 1.31 million during the price dip. These figures highlight active trading and ongoing price discovery within the market.

Key technical indicators for Ethereum presented a cautiously optimistic outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) maintained a position near 60, and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) was approaching a bullish crossover. Furthermore, on-chain data pointed to strong buying pressure, with a “bull flag” pattern identified on the daily chart, suggesting the potential for ETH to break past the $3,000 barrier in June.

Table 2: Ethereum Weekly Price & Volume (June 9-15, 2025)

Date	Price (Close)	Open	High	Low	Volume (K)	Change %
Jun 15, 2025	2,538.95	2,547.58	2,678.91	2,517.01	743.68	-0.34%
Jun 14, 2025	2,547.58	2,532.33	2,557.76	2,493.21	336.18	+0.64%
Jun 13, 2025	2,531.39	2,573.16	2,574.13	2,491.10	367.98	-1.84%
Jun 12, 2025	2,578.83	2,639.50	2,639.50	2,447.78	1,310.00	-2.45%
Jun 11, 2025	2,643.70	2,771.72	2,784.39	2,621.67	776.74	-4.63%
Jun 10, 2025	2,772.11	2,813.27	2,877.92	2,745.91	932.96	-1.55%
Jun 9, 2025	2,815.73	2,680.07	2,825.63	2,657.28	1,250.00	+5.06%

XRP: Technical Movements

XRP distinguished itself as the top performer among large-cap assets during the week, recording a 5.46% gain and pushing its year-to-date (YTD) return to 3.93%. However, technical indicators presented a mixed outlook. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading had turned negative, and the 12-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) crossed below the 26-period EMA, signaling a potential bearish momentum. This technical configuration suggests a potential drop below the $2.28 support level, with a more severe bearish scenario potentially leading to a price of $1.94. Nevertheless, broader adoption trends for XRP could introduce new demand and challenge this bearish technical outlook.

Other Major Cryptocurrencies:

The performance of other major cryptocurrencies was varied. Avalanche (AVAX) and Chainlink (LINK) experienced modest gains of 0.41% and 0.22% respectively. However, their year-to-date losses remained substantial, at -42.90% for AVAX and -32.19% for LINK. Cardano (ADA) saw a decline of 0.66%, deepening its year-to-date loss to -22.91%. Solana (SOL) was the weakest performer among the major tokens, falling 2.01% and pushing its year-to-date return down to -21.25%. This mixed performance underscores a market where capital is not uniformly distributed, with a focus on perceived safer or fundamentally strong assets.

Fundamental Analysis: Unpacking the Drivers

The week of June 9-15, 2025, was rich with fundamental developments that collectively influenced the cryptocurrency market. These drivers ranged from significant regulatory strides to deepening institutional integration and broader macroeconomic shifts.

Regulatory Developments:

A major highlight was the U.S. Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill, with a strong bipartisan vote of 68-30. This legislation is now proceeding to the House for potential revisions, with expectations for its passage to President Trump’s desk. This bill is designed to establish crucial guardrails and consumer protections for stablecoins, a market segment that currently accounts for $160 billion in circulation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly supported its passage, projecting that the stablecoin market could expand to an impressive $3.7 trillion by the end of the decade. This legislative action is a critical de-risking event, as regulatory uncertainty has historically been a significant barrier for institutional adoption and mainstream integration. The bipartisan support and the Treasury Secretary’s optimistic forecast signal a shift from an adversarial to a more facilitative regulatory environment, which is a foundational change for crypto’s growth.

President Trump also reiterated his strong pro-crypto stance, asserting that the U.S. “must dominate Crypto” and pledging to create a “clear and simple market framework” that includes full legalization and oversight of stablecoins and trading. This rhetoric suggests potential major reforms within the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if he regains office. However, some Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, voiced concerns that the bill does not adequately address President Trump’s personal financial interests in the crypto space and could potentially enable large technology companies, such as Amazon and Meta, to launch their own stablecoins. While Trump’s public support is generally positive for market sentiment, the underlying political motivations and potential for perceived conflicts of interest could introduce future legislative hurdles or public scrutiny.

Beyond the U.S., regulatory clarity continued to advance globally. The UK regulator proposed lifting its ban on individual investors purchasing cryptocurrency-related Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) to boost competitiveness against the resurgent U.S. crypto market. Vietnam announced plans to fully legalize digital assets by 2026, encompassing exchanges and potentially decentralized finance (DeFi). Additionally, South Korea’s new administration, led by Lee Jae-myung, expressed support for innovation, DeFi regulation, and stablecoin adoption, reinforcing the nation’s role as a Web3 leader in Asia. This global alignment suggests that crypto is moving beyond a niche asset class to a recognized component of the global financial system, fostering a more predictable environment for innovation and investment.

In operational licensing, MoonPay, a prominent U.S. digital asset payments company, secured a BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services. This license officially authorizes MoonPay to conduct virtual currency business activity within New York State, significantly enhancing its operational legitimacy. Furthermore, a leading U.S. venture capital firm, a16z crypto, recommended that crypto market participants transition from the traditional foundation model to company-managed networks, citing new regulatory frameworks being considered by Congress that would favor such corporate structures.

Institutional Adoption & Mainstream Integration:

Institutional engagement remained a powerful driver for the crypto market. Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy (Strategy) announced plans to raise an additional $1 billion through Series A preferred stock, specifically to acquire more Bitcoin, significantly increasing its previous fundraising goal. Between June 9th and 15th, Strategy successfully acquired 10,100 more BTC at an average price of $104,080, bringing its total holdings to an impressive 592,100 BTC. This substantial holding is valued at approximately $61.4 billion, with estimated unrealized profits of $20.6 billion. This consistent, strategic accumulation by a public company validates Bitcoin as a long-term store of value and a viable treasury asset, influencing other corporate entities.

BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, continued its parabolic growth trajectory, reaching $70 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) in just 341 days. This achievement solidified its position as the fastest-growing ETF in history. This rapid growth indicates that traditional finance is not merely exploring but actively integrating crypto, creating significant demand-side pressure that acts as a strong price floor for Bitcoin.

Broader institutional Bitcoin adoption also surged, with reports indicating over 2,500 Bitcoin added to institutional portfolios during the week, representing a 60% increase in adoption. This trend is primarily driven by companies seeking financial diversification and leveraging the inherent advantages of digital assets, thereby accelerating the transformation of traditional financial structures. Coinbase reported a landmark statistic: 60% of Fortune 500 companies are now actively utilizing blockchain technology for various applications, including tokenization, logistics, and payments. This underscores blockchain’s evolution from a nascent technology to a foundational infrastructure, moving beyond speculative trading to real-world utility.

Mainstream integration continued with Shopify’s announcement to integrate USD Coin (USDC) payments by the end of 2025. This development represents a major victory for stablecoin adoption in mainstream commerce, promising seamless crypto payments that bypass traditional bank fees. Further solidifying institutional interest, Cantor Fitzgerald Asset Management revealed plans to launch its Gold Protected Bitcoin Fund, an innovative investment vehicle combining Bitcoin exposure with downside protection linked to the price of gold. Crypto exchange Kraken also introduced Kraken Prime, a comprehensive prime brokerage service designed specifically for institutional crypto clients , and Robinhood completed its acquisition of the crypto exchange Bitstamp, further expanding its digital asset offerings. These developments collectively demonstrate a robust and expanding embrace of digital assets across various sectors of traditional finance and commerce.

Macroeconomic Factors:

Global macroeconomic conditions continued to provide a complex backdrop for the crypto market. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran influenced global markets, initially causing uncertainty. However, markets responded with a sense of relief and a surge of “green candles” following President Trump’s claim of nearing peace in the Middle East, suggesting a temporary de-escalation of geopolitical risk perception.

U.S. economic indicators presented a mixed picture. U.S. inflation in May fell to 2.4%, coming in below expectations, which fueled hopes for a more dovish stance from the Federal Reserve. The Fed remained in a holding pattern, carefully monitoring whether inflation or the labor market would worsen first before making rate decisions. Q1 2025 GDP growth registered a contraction of -0.2% , suggesting economic contraction that could dampen overall investment sentiment. Cooling inflation typically signals a more dovish Fed, which could lead to rate cuts later in 2025. Lower interest rates generally make riskier assets like crypto more attractive. However, negative GDP growth suggests economic contraction, which could temper overall investment sentiment.

A new U.S.-China trade deal was announced, imposing 55% tariffs on Chinese goods and 10% on U.S. exports. This is expected to induce major shifts in global supply chains and could potentially increase costs for cryptocurrency mining equipment. The U.S. budget deficit narrowed to $316 billion in May, partly attributed to increased tariff revenue, offering a small sign of fiscal stability. These external macroeconomic and geopolitical forces mean that while crypto has strong internal drivers, it remains susceptible to broader economic and geopolitical forces, necessitating a balanced view of market outlook.

Significant Project Updates & Partnerships:

Several projects announced key updates and partnerships. Justin Sun’s Tron Group is set to go public in the U.S. through a reverse merger with SRM Entertainment, a toy company that plans to rename itself “Tron” and acquire TRX digital tokens.1 This strategic move expands Tron’s presence in the global market. Coinbase made a significant move by becoming the first CFTC-approved U.S. exchange to offer perpetual futures to retail investors, legalizing leverage and potentially increasing market volatility. Binance demonstrated its commitment to compliance by assisting U.S. authorities in dismantling Incognito Market, a major darknet drug operation that had moved over $80 million in crypto. Crypto exchange Bullish confidentially filed for a U.S. Initial Public Offering (IPO), signaling its intent to join traditional financial institutions on public markets.

In terms of user experience and infrastructure, Consensys acquired Web3Auth to significantly enhance MetaMask’s user experience and safety. This acquisition will enable MetaMask users to create and recover wallets using familiar Web2 authentication methods, such as social logins and device-based authentication, thereby eliminating the need for manual seed phrase backups. Rain expanded its support to include Solana, Tron, and Stellar, enabling more partners to launch stablecoin-powered card programs for real-world payments, including consumer and B2B spending and cross-border disbursements. Additionally, RLUSD received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority as a Recognised Crypto Token, marking a step forward for digital asset recognition in the Middle East.

Finally, the market is anticipating several major token unlocks, which could introduce selling pressure. These include MRS ($202.60M), FTN ($88.80M), ZK ($39.30M), ARB ($31.45M), S ($16.42M), and ID ($12.22M). These unlocks represent a potential increase in circulating supply, which could influence price dynamics for these specific assets.

Sentiment Analysis: Gauging the Market’s Mood

Market sentiment during the week of June 9-15, 2025, was predominantly characterized by “Greed,” as reflected by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, though with some intra-week fluctuations.

Fear & Greed Index:

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index consistently remained in the “Greed” zone throughout the week:

• June 9: 71 (Greed) 
• June 10: 72 (Greed) 
• June 11: 71 (Greed) 
• June 12: 61 (Greed) 
• June 13: 63 (Greed) 
• June 14: 60 (Greed) 
• June 15: 61 (Greed) 

The index began the week strongly at 71 on June 9th, experienced a dip to a low of 60 on June 14th, and then recovered slightly to 61 by June 15th. Despite this slight decline from earlier highs, the index remained firmly in the “Greed” zone, signaling continued optimism and a propensity for risk-taking among investors. This consistent “Greed” reading, even amidst mid-week price dips for Bitcoin and Ethereum, indicates that while underlying optimism is strong, it is not an unchecked euphoria. The temporary dip in the index during the price correction suggests that investors are reactive, but the overall sentiment quickly rebounds, likely fueled by strong fundamental news such as regulatory progress and institutional adoption. This points to a more mature market where price corrections are viewed as opportunities for accumulation rather than triggers for panic selling, fostering a cautious optimism.

Social Media Trends & Analyst Opinions:

A prevailing “FOMO is real” (Fear Of Missing Out) sentiment was observed across social media, particularly concerning anonymous large-scale Bitcoin accumulation, dubbed “Mr. 1736”. This highlights a strong belief among market participants in continued upward price potential. Analyst opinions further reinforced bullish expectations, with some suggesting that Ethereum could rally towards $5,000 by Q3 if spot ETF approvals materialize.

The influence of key figures on market sentiment was also evident. Michael Saylor’s “enigmatic social media presence” and his consistent public advocacy for Bitcoin were noted as influential factors shaping investor confidence. Similarly, the broader market responded with “relief” and a surge of “green candles” following President Trump’s claim of nearing peace in the Middle East conflict. This demonstrates the market’s sensitivity to geopolitical de-escalation and the significant impact of high-profile statements on investor behavior. The actions and pronouncements of such influential figures can significantly amplify positive narratives, encouraging further participation and contributing to the overall upward trajectory of crypto assets.

New Technology and Upgrades

The crypto landscape continues to be defined by rapid technological advancements and network upgrades, aiming to enhance scalability, efficiency, and user experience.

In terms of transaction throughput, the latest data from the Phoenix Group for June 2025 highlighted the fastest blockchains based on average transactions per second (TPS). The Internet Computer (ICP) led the rankings with 8,000 TPS, demonstrating significant throughput capability and an average block time of 480 milliseconds. Solana followed closely at 4,100 TPS, with a block time of 391 milliseconds, maintaining its reputation for high performance. Base, built on Ethereum’s infrastructure, achieved 1,133 TPS with a 2.0-second block time, showcasing the potential of Layer-2 solutions. Tron processed 1,021 TPS with a 3.0-second block time, and BNB Chain recorded 761 TPS with a 1.5-second block time. While Ethereum itself recorded 14.8 TPS, this reflects its focus on security over raw speed, with much of its scaling now occurring on Layer-2s.

Ethereum’s Layer-2 ecosystem continued its robust expansion, playing a crucial role in its overall utility. Protocols like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Blast contributed billions in liquidity, maintaining Ethereum’s dominance with over 55% of all DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) across blockchains. This robust infrastructure ensures Ethereum remains the preferred base layer for developers and protocols, providing the scalability needed for widespread adoption. The growing adoption of Ethereum staking, reaching a record 34.8 million ETH (nearly 29% of total supply), further underscores investor belief in the network’s future and its deflationary supply dynamics.

User experience and accessibility also saw significant improvements. Consensys, the developer behind MetaMask, acquired Web3Auth to enhance MetaMask’s user experience and safety. This acquisition will enable MetaMask users to create and recover wallets using familiar Web2 authentication methods, such as social logins and device-based authentication, thereby eliminating the need for manual seed phrase backups. This development is crucial for onboarding new users by significantly reducing friction and improving security for the average user.

These technological advancements and upgrades are fundamental drivers for increasing crypto adoption and value. Faster, more scalable blockchains enable a wider range of applications and higher transaction volumes, making digital assets more practical for everyday use. The growth of Layer-2 solutions addresses the scalability challenges of foundational blockchains, reducing costs and improving efficiency. Enhancements to user experience, such as simplified wallet management, are critical for attracting a broader, less technically savvy audience. Together, these developments contribute to the long-term utility and sustainability of the crypto ecosystem, moving it further into mainstream functionality.

DeFi and NFT Market Performance

The decentralized finance (DeFi) and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) markets exhibited distinct trends during the week of June 9-15, 2025.

In the DeFi sector, the CF DeFi Composite Index posted a modest gain of 0.74%, slightly reducing its year-to-date (YTD) decline to -32.90%. This suggests a tentative stabilization within high-beta thematic segments, although persistent negative returns across the broader market highlight lingering risk aversion. The overall sentiment remains fragile as speculative assets continue to struggle in regaining sustained investor interest. Ethereum’s ecosystem continues to command over 55% of all DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) across blockchains, with significant contributions from Layer-2 protocols like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Blast. This robust infrastructure allows Ethereum to remain the preferred base layer for developers and protocols.

The NFT market, after a period of decline, showed significant signs of a rebound. Transaction volumes surged by 37.10% to reach a total of $144.8 million. This increase in activity signals a notable recovery for the NFT ecosystem. Several major blockchain platforms contributed to this growth:

• Immutable Network: Led the rebound with a transaction volume of $41.7 million, marking a substantial 156.01% increase from the previous week. This performance allowed Immutable to surpass Ethereum and establish itself as a key player in the NFT market.
• Ethereum: Despite moving to second place, Ethereum still saw a 6.69% increase in its transaction volume, reaching $31.5 million. Ethereum retains the lion’s share of NFT volume, with data from late May 2025 showing Ethereum NFTs accounting for approximately $36.5 million in weekly sales, significantly outperforming other chains.
• Bitcoin: Experienced a 22.55% growth in transaction volume.
• Polygon: Saw an increase of 32.91% in transaction volume.

The market’s recovery was further reflected in increased participation from both buyers and sellers. Buyer participation surged by 50.56%, while the number of sellers rose by 8.09%. The total number of transactions also increased by 7.88%, indicating heightened activity and interest in the NFT space. Notable transactions, such as the sales of CryptoPunks #1831 and CryptoPunks #9778, further fueled investor enthusiasm. This rebound highlights the cyclical nature of the NFT market, demonstrating its capacity to recover from downturns driven by demand for digital collectibles and ongoing technological advancements. Analysts forecast continued growth for the NFT sector, supported by financial revitalization, the flourishing digital collectibles market, technological advancements, and regulatory developments. Ethereum is expected to maintain its vital role due to its robust infrastructure and widespread adoption within the NFT community.

Security Breaches and Exploits

Despite the overall maturation and growth of the cryptocurrency industry, security breaches and exploits remained a significant concern during the week of June 9-15, 2025. According to Web3 security firm CertiK, a staggering $2.1 billion in crypto has been stolen by hackers so far in 2025. This figure underscores the persistent and evolving threat landscape facing digital assets.

Recent reports highlighted several major incidents:

• The Cetus decentralized crypto exchange (DEX), a trading platform built on the Sui network, reportedly lost $223 million in a hack of its smart contracts.
• The decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Cork Protocol suffered a $12 million loss in another smart contract attack.
• BitoPro, a Taiwan-based crypto exchange, reportedly lost $11.5 million in a hack of its hot wallets.

A concerning trend observed is the shift in hacker tactics. While smart contract attacks continue to occur, CertiK’s analysis indicates that most losses in 2025 are attributable to wallet compromises and phishing attacks, suggesting that hackers are increasingly focusing on social engineering schemes rather than solely on exploiting code vulnerabilities. This highlights the growing importance of user education and robust personal security practices in addition to platform-level security.

Another recent incident involved a supply chain attack on the Python Package Index (PyPI), designed to deploy private key-stealing malware on devices that download the affected PyPI packages. Such attacks target blockchain developers, emphasizing the need for vigilance across the entire development ecosystem. These ongoing security challenges underscore the critical importance of continuous innovation in security protocols, robust auditing practices, and proactive threat intelligence to safeguard digital assets and foster greater user trust.

4. Fortuna AI Insights

While specific, named insights from “Fortuna AI” for the week of June 9-15, 2025, were not explicitly available in the provided data, broader AI-driven and analyst predictions for June 2025 offered valuable perspectives on market trajectories.

For Bitcoin, a general prediction for June 2025 suggested a healthy 12% increase for the month, potentially reaching around $118,000 by mid-year. More specifically, Bitcoin was predicted to peak at approximately $138,000 in the second week of June. This aligns with the observation that Bitcoin could climb towards $120,000 if whale accumulation continues and the price holds above $108,000. On-chain analytics indicated that Bitcoin whales holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC had significantly accumulated 122,330 coins in the six weeks prior to June, signaling rising buying pressure that could push Bitcoin higher and prevent it from sliding below $100,000.

For Ethereum, analyst projections indicated a potential rally to $3,069, supported by strong on-chain buying pressure and a confirmed bull flag pattern. If buying pressure continues to build, Ethereum’s price could break past the $3,000 barrier in June 2025. Furthermore, if an ETH spot ETF is approved and Layer-2 usage continues to grow, Ethereum could test $5,000 by late 2025.

XRP, on the other hand, faced a more cautious outlook from some analyses, with a potential drop to $1.94 amid bearish momentum, unless rising adoption triggers new demand for the cryptocurrency. This highlights the nuanced and sometimes divergent predictions across different assets, reflecting their unique fundamental and technical drivers.

These AI-driven or analyst-derived predictions, though not directly from a named “Fortuna AI,” provide a forward-looking dimension to the weekly review, offering potential price targets and key factors that could influence market movements in the short to medium term. They represent an analytical approach to forecasting market behavior based on current data and trends.

5. Weekly Analysis and Outlook for the Next Week (June 9 onwards)

The week of June 9th to 15th, 2025, underscored a crypto market in a state of significant transition and maturation. The confluence of regulatory progress, sustained institutional adoption, and a notable rebound in key market segments paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the short-term future.

The passage of the GENIUS Act by the U.S. Senate is a profound development. This legislative step towards regulating stablecoins is not merely a political event; it is a critical de-risking factor for the entire digital asset industry. By providing clearer guidelines and consumer protections for a $160 billion market segment, it significantly reduces the regulatory uncertainty that has historically deterred large-scale institutional participation. This action is likely to pave the way for further institutional inflows and mainstream integration, as entities prioritize legal clarity. The strong bipartisan support for the bill and President Trump’s vocal advocacy for U.S. dominance in crypto further suggest an expedited path to implementation, solidifying a more favorable environment for growth.

The unabated institutional appetite for Bitcoin, exemplified by MicroStrategy’s continued aggressive accumulation and BlackRock’s IBIT becoming the fastest-growing ETF in history, provides a strong fundamental underpinning for the market. These actions are not speculative; they represent strategic corporate decisions that validate Bitcoin as a long-term store of value and a viable treasury asset. This sustained institutional demand creates a robust price floor, absorbing selling pressure and making significant downward movements less likely. The fact that 60% of Fortune 500 companies are now actively using blockchain technology for various applications, including payments and logistics, further illustrates the pervasive integration of this technology beyond mere cryptocurrency trading. This indicates that blockchain is evolving into a foundational digital infrastructure, driving real-world utility and, by extension, demand for the native tokens that power these networks.

While Bitcoin showed resilience and institutional backing, and XRP recorded a weekly gain, the performance of other altcoins like Avalanche, Chainlink, Cardano, and Solana was more subdued. This suggests a potential capital rotation towards larger-cap, more established assets, or a lack of strong, unique catalysts for broader altcoin rallies outside of specific narratives, such as the potential Solana ETF approval. This indicates that while the overall market sentiment might be “Greed,” it is a selective optimism, primarily focused on assets perceived as more secure or fundamentally robust.

For the upcoming week, several key factors warrant close observation:

• Regulatory Progress: The movement of the GENIUS Act to the House will be closely watched. Any further progress or potential amendments could influence market sentiment, particularly for stablecoins and the broader regulatory outlook.
• Institutional Flows: Continued monitoring of Bitcoin ETF inflows and corporate treasury announcements will be crucial. Sustained accumulation by large entities will reinforce market confidence and provide a demand-side buffer.
• Macroeconomic Data: The Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates, influenced by inflation and labor market data, will continue to play a significant role. Cooling inflation could lead to a more dovish Fed, potentially making riskier assets like crypto more attractive. However, negative GDP growth could temper overall investment sentiment.
• Geopolitical Stability: While President Trump’s statements brought temporary relief regarding the Middle East conflict, any resurgence of tensions could introduce renewed volatility into global markets, including crypto.
• Security Incidents: The ongoing trend of hacks and exploits, particularly the shift towards social engineering, highlights the need for continued vigilance. Any major new breaches could impact market confidence.
• Altcoin Catalysts: Specific news regarding Ethereum’s Layer-2 development, staking dynamics, or any progress on a Solana ETF could provide catalysts for renewed altcoin performance. Upcoming token unlocks should also be monitored for potential selling pressure.

Overall, the events of June 9th to 15th suggest a market that is increasingly influenced by institutional adoption and regulatory clarity, which are building a more robust foundation for the long-term growth of the crypto space. While short-term volatility remains a possibility, driven by macroeconomic factors and specific asset dynamics, the underlying trend points towards greater legitimization and integration into the global financial system.

6. Conclusion

The week of June 9th to 15th, 2025, served as a compelling illustration of the cryptocurrency market’s evolving landscape, marked by a significant stride towards regulatory clarity and deepening institutional integration. The U.S. Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin bill, stands out as a pivotal development, signaling a maturing legislative approach that promises to de-risk a substantial segment of the digital asset market. This move, coupled with President Trump’s vocal support for crypto dominance, lays a foundation for a more predictable and favorable regulatory environment, which is crucial for attracting broader institutional and retail participation.

The unwavering commitment of major players like MicroStrategy, through its continued Bitcoin accumulation, and the unprecedented growth of BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, underscore a fundamental shift in how digital assets are perceived and utilized within traditional finance. These actions are not merely speculative but represent strategic integrations, creating a robust demand-side pressure that acts as a significant price floor for Bitcoin. The increasing adoption of blockchain technology by Fortune 500 companies and the integration of stablecoin payments by e-commerce giants like Shopify further demonstrate the technology’s transition from speculative asset to foundational infrastructure, driving real-world utility.

While the market exhibited overall “Greed” sentiment, this was a nuanced optimism, characterized by resilience in major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum despite mid-week price dips. This suggests a maturing market where corrections are viewed as buying opportunities rather than triggers for panic. However, the persistent threat of security breaches, particularly the noted shift towards social engineering attacks, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for robust security measures and user vigilance.

In summary, the week’s events highlight a crypto market that is increasingly professionalized and integrated into the global financial system. The primary drivers for increasing crypto value and adoption stem from the reduction of regulatory uncertainty, the sustained influx of institutional capital, and the continuous development of real-world utility for blockchain technology. While macroeconomic headwinds and security challenges remain, the foundational shifts observed this week suggest a market poised for continued growth and broader acceptance, underpinned by a stronger, more regulated, and utility-driven ecosystem.