Crypto News Review & Fortuna AI Insights – Weekly Recap (July 14 to 21, 2025)

The week of July 14th to 21st, 2025, proved to be a watershed moment for the cryptocurrency market, characterized by significant legislative advancements in the United States and a continued surge in institutional engagement. Bitcoin ascended to unprecedented all-time highs, crossing the $120,000 threshold, while Ethereum exhibited robust growth, comfortably surpassing the $3,000 mark and setting its sights on higher valuations. The defining narrative of the week was a decisive stride towards regulatory clarity in the U.S., cultivating an environment of heightened confidence and capital influx.

This period was largely shaped by the U.S. House of Representatives officially designating July 14th-18th as “Crypto Week”. During this crucial window, lawmakers actively debated and passed pivotal pro-crypto legislation, including the GENIUS Act aimed at stablecoins, the CLARITY Act for market structure, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. This concerted legislative push, notably backed by the Trump administration, was designed to cement the U.S.’s position as a global leader in digital asset innovation. Concurrently, Bitcoin maintained its bullish trajectory, achieving a new all-time high of $122,273 on July 14th, propelled by growing institutional conviction and a favorable regulatory outlook. Ethereum mirrored this strength, breaking above $3,000 and reaching a five-month high of $3,048.2 on July 14th, with substantial spot ETF inflows serving as a significant tailwind.

The primary drivers behind the increasing cryptocurrency prices this week stemmed from a convergence of factors: the long-anticipated regulatory clarity emerging from “Crypto Week” in the U.S., sustained institutional capital inflows that further legitimized digital assets as a distinct asset class, and a prevailing market sentiment leaning towards “Greed,” which reinforced the overall bullish momentum. This confluence of events signaled a notable maturation of the crypto market, indicating a shift from purely speculative retail interest towards a growth trajectory underpinned by stronger fundamental support.

Important News Headlines of the Week

• U.S. House Declares “Crypto Week” (July 14-18, 2025): Lawmakers debate and vote on key digital asset bills.
• GENIUS Act Passes House, Heads to President Trump’s Desk: Landmark stablecoin regulation approved with bipartisan support.
• CLARITY Act Passes House, Moves to Senate: Broader market structure bill for digital assets gains bipartisan approval.
• Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act Passes House: Bill prohibiting Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) approved.
• Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High Above $122,000: Fueled by institutional interest and regulatory optimism.
• Ethereum Surges Above $3,000, Eyes $3,700: Driven by spot ETF inflows and rising staking yields.
• DeFi Technologies Reports All-Time High in Bitcoin AUM: Valour’s Bitcoin AUM reaches $302 million.
• BigONE Exchange Suffers $27 Million Crypto Breach: Highlighting ongoing security risks in the ecosystem.
• NFT Market Shifts Towards Utility Amid Volume Decline: Sales counts increase despite a drop in trading volumes.

In-Depth Market Analysis

Technical Analysis: Price Action and Market Structure

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Action

Bitcoin commenced the week with significant upward momentum, achieving a new all-time high of $122,273 on July 14th. Throughout the week, its price remained at elevated levels, with daily closing figures generally ranging between $117,312.70 and $119,860.00.23 The $120,000 mark served as a crucial psychological and resistance level, which Bitcoin successfully breached early in the period. Support for Bitcoin was observed around $117,000, with a robust underlying support level firmly established at $100,000.25 While specific weekly trading volumes for Bitcoin were not detailed, the broader crypto market’s total trading volume reached $172 billion on July 14th, indicating a highly active trading environment. The sustained upward movement and the attainment of new all-time highs strongly suggest a dominant bullish trend, reflecting strong conviction among market participants. The prevailing narrative of a “flight to hard assets” likely played a role in Bitcoin’s resilience and continued ascent.

Ethereum (ETH) Price Action

Ethereum experienced substantial gains during the week, climbing from approximately $2,974.27 on July 14th to $3,760.00 by July 20th.26 It confidently surpassed the $3,000 threshold early in the week and continued its upward trajectory, reaching $3,650.03 by July 17th.8 Technically, Ethereum traded comfortably above its 20-, 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages, a clear indication of a strong and intact uptrend.8 Key resistance levels were identified at $3,500, $3,680, and $3,880, with significant support at $3,350, $3,200, and the critical psychological level of $3,000.8 Ethereum’s market capitalization consistently hovered above $414 billion, supported by over $50 billion in daily trading volume.8 A notable factor in its performance was the substantial inflows into spot Ethereum ETFs, including a remarkable $717 million on July 16th, with BlackRock’s ETHA fund alone attracting $489 million.8 The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for Ethereum, ranging from around 61 to above 73, signaled robust upward momentum, suggesting that the rally retained strength even as it entered overbought territory. Furthermore, the presence of bullish chart patterns and significant whale accumulation contributed to the coin’s strong surge.

Table 1: Key Cryptocurrency Price Movements (July 14-21, 2025)

Date	Bitcoin (BTC) Close (USD)	Ethereum (ETH) Close (USD)	BTC % Change (24h)	ETH % Change (24h)
Jul 14, 2025	$119,860.00	$3,010.00	+0.62%	+1.40%
Jul 15, 2025	$117,780.00	$3,140.00	-1.74%	+4.12%
Jul 16, 2025	$118,680.00	$3,370.00	+0.76%	+7.44%
Jul 17, 2025	$119,270.00	$3,480.00	+0.50%	+3.13%
Jul 18, 2025	$118,020.00	$3,550.00	-1.05%	+2.01%
Jul 19, 2025	$117,910.00	$3,590.00	-0.09%	+1.27%
Jul 20, 2025	$117,310.00	$3,760.00	-0.51%	+4.62%
Jul 21, 2025	$117,790.00	$3,690.17	+0.41%	-0.62%

This table provides a concise, daily snapshot of the closing prices and percentage changes for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This format allows for a quick and clear understanding of the week’s performance, making the data easily digestible and comparable for readers. It directly supports the technical analysis by presenting the raw data points upon which the broader market movements and trends are assessed.

The market’s immediate and positive reaction to the commencement of “Crypto Week” and the anticipation of favorable regulatory developments underscores a significant shift in market drivers. The consistent linking of Bitcoin’s new all-time high and Ethereum’s surge to legislative progress  indicates that regulatory certainty, or even the promise of it, has become a more potent force in price formation than traditional market dynamics or even some macroeconomic concerns. This suggests that the market is actively pricing in future regulatory clarity as a fundamental positive, validating the long-held belief within the crypto community that clear rules will unlock substantial institutional capital and reduce perceived investment risk.

Furthermore, the characterization of Bitcoin’s rally as “increasingly defined by institutional conviction, moving beyond retail speculation” by Seamus Rocca, CEO of Xapo Bank , coupled with consistent ETF inflows for both Bitcoin and Ethereum , points to a significant maturation of the crypto market. This indicates that the current bullish trend is not merely a product of individual investor FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) but rather a result of strategic, long-term allocations by large financial entities. This fundamental shift provides a more robust foundation for price growth and lessens the likelihood of sharp, retail-driven corrections, suggesting a more resilient market structure.

Fundamental Analysis: Regulatory Shifts, Adoption, and Macro Factors

US “Crypto Week” Outcomes (July 14-18, 2025):

The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated the week of July 14th-18th as “Crypto Week,” focusing on advancing industry-friendly legislation.1 This period culminated in the passage of several landmark bills:

GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins)

This act aims to establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, mandating full 1:1 asset backing, robust capital and transparency standards, and federal oversight. Its objective is to transform stablecoins into legally recognized, fully collateralized digital dollars. The bill successfully passed the House with strong bipartisan support, receiving 308-122 votes (206 Republicans and 102 Democrats), and has now been sent to President Trump’s desk for signature. It had previously cleared the Senate on June 17, 2025. This legislation is critical for addressing the regulatory vacuum in the rapidly expanding stablecoin market, which is projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030.

CLARITY Act (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025)

This bill establishes a comprehensive market structure for digital assets, clarifying the jurisdictional boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by defining which digital assets are securities versus commodities and setting operational standards for exchanges. The CLARITY Act passed the House with significant bipartisan support (294-134 votes, with 78 Democrats joining Republicans) and now proceeds to the Senate. Industry experts have lauded its passage as a “milestone,” anticipating that it will replace regulatory uncertainty with increased confidence for entrepreneurs and the broader market.

Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act (H.R. 1919)

This measure prohibits the Federal Reserve from testing or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly to individuals, citing concerns over financial privacy and potential government overreach. It also codifies President Trump’s executive order on this matter. The bill passed the House with a vote of 219-210, largely along party lines. This legislation reflects a strong commitment to preserving financial privacy and fostering free-market competitiveness in digital cash, explicitly aiming to prevent the creation of “government-controlled programmable money”.

Table 2: US “Crypto Week” Legislative Outcomes (July 14-18, 2025)

Bill Name	Primary Purpose	House Vote Result (Yea-Nay)	Next Step / Status
GENIUS Act	Federal framework for stablecoins, 1:1 backing, oversight	308-122	Sent to President Trump’s desk (previously passed Senate)
CLARITY Act	Comprehensive market structure, clarifies securities vs. commodities	294-134	Heads to Senate
Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act	Prohibits Federal Reserve from issuing CBDC directly to individuals	219-210	Passed House (largely along party lines)

This table provides a clear and concise summary of the key legislative outcomes during “Crypto Week,” detailing the purpose, vote results, and current status of each significant bill. Its value lies in offering an immediate overview of the legislative progress, which is a critical fundamental driver for the cryptocurrency market.

The bipartisan support garnered by the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act signifies a profound maturation in the U.S. legislative approach to digital assets. This movement towards a coherent regulatory structure is poised to foster innovation and enhance investor protection, addressing a long-standing demand from the industry. The passage of these bills indicates a growing consensus in Washington regarding the necessity of clear rules for the digital economy.

Furthermore, President Trump’s active advocacy for these bills and the codification of his executive order preventing the development of a central bank digital currency create a distinctly favorable environment for crypto innovation and adoption in the United States. This stance differentiates the U.S. approach from other major economies that might be exploring CBDCs, reinforcing a pro-privacy and decentralized philosophy within the American digital asset landscape.

Impact of President Trump’s Tariffs on the Cryptocurrency Market:

Throughout the week, discussions around President Trump’s tariff policies and threats were prominent within macroeconomic news. For instance, reports indicated that President Trump asserted authority to impose 100% “secondary tariffs” on Russia without Senate approval and that the EU had prepared a 21 billion euro tariff list targeting U.S. goods amidst stalled negotiations. J.P. Morgan Global Research noted that new reciprocal tariff rates for several countries, including 50% for Brazil and 35% for Canada, were announced, with potential rates rising to 30% for the EU and Mexico.31 These measures could increase the total effective tariff rate to nearly 17%, potentially adding 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points to the PCE price level, which might prompt the Federal Reserve to adopt a more cautious stance on rate cuts. Despite these significant macroeconomic jitters and tariff threats, Bitcoin remarkably achieved a new all-time high of $122,205 on July 14th.

Bitcoin’s ability to surge and maintain its value even amidst the uncertainties posed by President Trump’s tariff policies suggests a growing perception of the cryptocurrency as a “hard asset” or an inflation hedge. This resilience indicates that the digital asset market, particularly Bitcoin, may be increasingly decoupling from traditional market jitters related to trade tensions and macroeconomic pressures. This strengthening appeal during periods of global economic uncertainty positions Bitcoin as a potential safe haven asset for investors seeking diversification and protection against traditional market volatility.

Institutional Adoption

The week saw compelling evidence of deepening institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. A Wintermute report highlighted that institutional investors are primarily concentrating their focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum, while retail investors are increasingly diversifying into altcoins and memecoins.28 This strategic allocation by larger players underscores a growing confidence in the foundational digital assets. Ethereum spot ETFs, in particular, experienced substantial inflows, with over $726 million on July 16th and $602 million the following day, contributing to an impressive 11-day streak of inflows totaling over $2.8 billion since July 5th.9 DeFi Technologies, a financial technology company, reported an all-time high in its Bitcoin Assets Under Management (AUM) and treasury holdings as of July 14th, with Valour, its subsidiary, reaching $302 million in Bitcoin AUM. The company’s corporate treasury holdings of 208.8 Bitcoin also hit an all-time high valuation of approximately $25.6 million on July 13th, coinciding with Bitcoin’s record price of $122,625. Furthermore, the Trump administration has signaled strong support for the cryptocurrency sector, with proposed initiatives including the creation of a National Bitcoin Reserve to solidify U.S. dominance in the digital economy and plans to ease regulatory enforcement actions by agencies like the SEC.

The consistent and substantial influx of institutional capital into the cryptocurrency market, particularly into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, represents a fundamental transformation from a market primarily driven by retail speculation. This trend signifies a deeper integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional finance, validating their status as a legitimate asset class. This institutional embrace provides a more stable and mature foundation for market growth, as large financial entities are making long-term strategic allocations based on perceived value and regulatory clarity.

Sentiment Analysis: Gauging Market Psychology

The prevailing market sentiment during the week of July 14th to 21st remained firmly in the “Greed” zone, with the Crypto Fear & Greed Index standing at 71. This index, which ranges from 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed), translates the complex emotional currents of the cryptocurrency market into a single numerical score. It comprises various metrics, including Bitcoin’s volatility, market momentum and trading volume, social media trends, Bitcoin dominance, and Google search trends for crypto-related terms. A reading of 71, while a slight dip from a potential higher point, indicates a strong underlying optimism among investors. Historically, extreme fear often signals a buying opportunity, while extreme greed can precede a market correction, suggesting that prices may have risen too rapidly for purely rational reasons. However, the market’s ability to sustain this “Greed” level despite minor price fluctuations suggests a robust underlying bullish conviction rather than irrational exuberance. This sustained positive sentiment, supported by fundamental developments, could set the stage for continued upward momentum, provided that the underlying market dynamics remain strong.

New Technology and Upgrades: Advancing the Blockchain Frontier

The week witnessed several significant technological advancements and network upgrades across the blockchain ecosystem. Ethereum’s gas limit is poised to increase towards 45 million units, with nearly 50% of stakers supporting this change. This enhancement is expected to boost transaction capacity significantly, as Ethereum currently trades around $3,755. In the Layer-2 ecosystem, Arbitrum achieved the highest net inflow among public blockchains in the past week, totaling $168 million, demonstrating its growing adoption for cross-chain transactions. Aave DAO is also set to vote on a proposal to launch a white-label lending protocol on Kraken’s Ink blockchain, leveraging Aave’s smart contracts. Beyond specific network upgrades, a broader trend of convergence between blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum. A report by an institutional market maker highlighted an “increasingly important and symbiotic relationship between crypto and AI,” suggesting that blockchain networks could provide decentralized training power, data monetization via tokens, and trustless execution of AI agents. This convergence is anticipated to be a defining technological trend of the decade, unlocking new value propositions, such as using blockchain tokens to reward data sharing for AI model training or running AI algorithms on-chain for enhanced transparency.

These ongoing technological improvements, such as Ethereum’s gas limit increase, directly enhance network utility and scalability, which are critical for supporting long-term adoption and broader use cases. The increasing synergy between AI and blockchain points towards future innovation that extends beyond traditional financial applications, promising new paradigms in data management, automation, and decentralized intelligence. This continuous evolution of the underlying technology strengthens the fundamental value proposition of the crypto ecosystem.

Fortuna AI Insights

Fortuna AI’s analysis for July 2025 painted a bullish picture for the broader blockchain and cryptocurrency markets. The global blockchain technology market size, valued at $20.16 billion in 2024, is projected to surge to $31.18 billion in 2025 and reach an impressive $393.42 billion by 2032, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 43.6% during this forecast period. This growth is expected to be fueled by the rapidly expanding digital environment, increasing demand for blockchain technology across various industries, and the rising adoption of digital payment systems. As of April 2025, the overall cryptocurrency market capitalization was already estimated at $2.76 trillion.

Fortuna AI also highlighted notable predictions from industry figures. Michael Saylor’s bold forecast projects Bitcoin soaring to $21 million in the coming decades, sparking considerable excitement and speculation about investment opportunities in altcoins like Little Pepe (LILPEPE) and Ripple (XRP). Analysts predict that new projects like Little Pepe, with its Layer 2 chain and secure audit, could reach a post-launch price of $1.50 in 2025 from its presale price. Furthermore, Delphi launched the first free AI research hub, investing over $25 million to drive open-source intelligence and reshape how the crypto world integrates with generative AI.

Fortuna AI’s long-term bullish outlook for Bitcoin and the broader blockchain market, coupled with its emphasis on the convergence of AI and blockchain, aligns with the fundamental developments observed during the week. This convergence of analytical predictions with real-world market and technological advancements provides a data-driven confirmation of positive trends. It also underscores the increasing sophistication and role of artificial intelligence in shaping and analyzing the future trajectory of the crypto market.

DeFi Projects and NFT Market Performance

DeFi Market Performance

The Decentralized Finance (DeFi) sector demonstrated robust growth and continued to attract significant capital during the week. DeFi Technologies reported an all-time high in its Bitcoin Assets Under Management (AUM) and treasury holdings as of July 14th, with its subsidiary Valour reaching $302 million in Bitcoin AUM.19 The company’s diversified digital asset treasury, valued at approximately $48.4 million as of June 30th, includes direct exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and other high-conviction tokens. DeFi Technologies also generates a 6.5% APY on staked Bitcoin, contributing directly to its revenue and solidifying its position as a profitable, cash-generating public crypto company. Aave, a prominent DeFi lending protocol, reached a record $50 billion in deposits, positioning it favorably for potential U.S. crypto regulations. Venture capital investment in the crypto industry surged significantly in the second quarter of 2025, reaching approximately $10.03 billion in funding, with DeFi being one of the key sectors attracting this capital.

Despite this growth, the DeFi sector continued to face significant security challenges. Reports indicated that the GMX V1 decentralized exchange (DEX) was hacked, resulting in approximately $40 million in losses due to a design flaw. Additionally, the stablecoin DeFi protocol Resupply reportedly lost $9.6 million. These incidents contribute to a broader trend, with TRM Labs reporting that over $2.1 billion was stolen from the crypto industry across at least 75 distinct hacks and exploits in the first half of 2025, nearly equaling the total amount stolen in all of 2024.

While the DeFi sector demonstrates robust growth, increasing institutional interest, and significant capital inflows, the persistent and substantial security vulnerabilities remain a critical concern. The recurring hacks and exploits highlight the ongoing need for enhanced security measures, rigorous audits, and robust risk management frameworks to protect user funds and maintain trust in decentralized protocols. Failure to adequately address these security challenges could temper broader institutional adoption and user confidence in the long term.

NFT Market Trends

The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market exhibited a transitional phase during the first half of 2025, generating $2.82 billion in sales despite a notable decline in trading volumes. This figure, while slightly lower than the $2.96 billion recorded in the second half of 2024, suggests a realignment rather than a collapse, indicating a shift towards a more stable and sustainable phase.21 Data from CryptoSlam revealed that the number of monthly transactions in H1 2025 ranged from 4 million to 6 million, while the average value of an NFT sale stabilized between $80 and $100.22 DappRadar reported a 45% drop in trading volumes in Q2 2025 ($823 million) compared to the previous quarter ($1.5 billion), yet the total number of sales increased by 78% during the same period.21 This discrepancy indicates a shift where more NFTs are being sold, but for fewer dollars, suggesting increased accessibility and adoption for utility rather than purely speculative investment.21 Aubrey Terrazas from Rarible noted that the market is becoming healthier, with less speculation and a greater focus on practical use cases and community projects.21 A notable event during the period was Snoop Dogg’s rapid sale of nearly a million NFTs on Telegram, generating $12 million in just 30 minutes, facilitated by the TON blockchain.21 The global number of NFT users is projected to reach 11.64 million by 2025.40 The NFT market’s evolution, characterized by declining trading volumes but increasing sales counts at lower average values, indicates a significant maturation. This trend suggests a move beyond the initial speculative hype towards broader accessibility and utility-driven use cases. The market is finding its footing in the broader digital economy, with a focus on community projects and practical applications rather than just high-value, art-centric sales. This shift is a positive sign for the long-term viability and integration of NFTs into various industries.

Weekly Analysis and Outlook for the Next Week

The week of July 14th to 21st, 2025, has unequivocally set a bullish tone for the cryptocurrency market. The most impactful development was the legislative progress in the U.S. House of Representatives, particularly the passage of the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, which signals a decisive move towards a clearer and more favorable regulatory environment. This newfound regulatory certainty is expected to continue attracting significant institutional capital, as evidenced by the consistent inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. The market’s resilience in the face of macroeconomic concerns, such as President Trump’s tariff policies, further reinforces its growing perception as a legitimate and robust asset class.

For the upcoming week and beyond, several key factors will be important to monitor. The Senate’s consideration of the CLARITY Act will be crucial, as its passage would further solidify the U.S. regulatory framework. Continued institutional ETF inflows for both Bitcoin and Ethereum will serve as a strong indicator of sustained professional interest. Any further developments regarding President Trump’s tariff policies and their broader economic impact should be watched, although the crypto market has shown a degree of decoupling. Finally, the industry’s response to persistent security challenges, particularly in the DeFi sector, will be vital for maintaining investor confidence and fostering broader adoption. The ongoing technological advancements, especially the convergence of AI and blockchain, will also continue to shape the long-term trajectory of the digital asset space.

Conclusion

The week of July 14th to 21st, 2025, stands as a landmark period for the cryptocurrency market, primarily driven by the significant strides in U.S. regulatory clarity and robust institutional adoption. Bitcoin’s ascent to new all-time highs and Ethereum’s substantial gains were direct reflections of this evolving landscape. The passage of the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act by the U.S. House of Representatives represents a pivotal shift towards a more mature and predictable regulatory environment, which is crucial for unlocking further institutional investment and fostering innovation.

The market’s ability to thrive amidst macroeconomic uncertainties, such as ongoing tariff discussions, underscores the growing perception of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, as resilient “hard assets.” While the influx of institutional capital provides a solid foundation for growth, the persistent security breaches within the DeFi sector serve as a crucial reminder of the inherent risks that still need comprehensive mitigation. The NFT market, meanwhile, appears to be transitioning from speculative hype to a more utility-driven and accessible phase. Overall, the week reinforced the narrative of a maturing digital asset ecosystem that is increasingly integrating into the global financial system, poised for continued evolution and broader acceptance.