Blockchain journalist | Writer of Trade Now & Altcoin Now, must-read content for investors.
Global asset management firm Grayscale has evaluated Ethereum (ETH) as a core foundational asset in the virtual asset (cryptocurrency) market. On the 14th (local time), Grayscale stated on X (formerly Twitter), "Ethereum continues to lead the market in terms of applications, assets, and developer activity, and it keeps generating substantial fees." They further added, "If scaling succeeds, annual transaction revenue will also increase."
There are reports that the over four-year-long legal battle between Ripple (Ripple) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may soon be coming to an end. Both parties recently jointly submitted a settlement proposal, and some are claiming there is as high as a 70% chance the U.S. court will approve it. According to Coinpedia, a media outlet specializing in virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), on the 14th (local time), John Deaton, known as a pro-Ripple attorney, predicted, "There is a 70% chance that Judge Torres will approve the settlement." He pointed out, "The SEC has maintained an excessively aggressive stance against Ripple so far, and there are precedents in which the court has described this as 'arbitrary and capricious.'" Recently, Ripple and the SEC requested the U.S. court to adjust the final ruling for 'exceptional circumstances,' based on a shared understanding to avoid prolonged litigation related to regulatory changes. Ripple has also preemptively deposited $125 million in escrow in preparation for civil penalties. If the settlement is approved, $50 million of this will be paid to the SEC as a fine, and the remaining $75 million will be returned to Ripple. Meanwhile, in 2020, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple for selling $1.3 billion worth of unregistered securities. Although Ripple won on some issues, discussions over the size of penalties and the final settlement have continued for years.
Eco Protocol announced that a wallet holding about $266 million (approximately ₩364.5 billion) worth of Bitcoin (BTC) was stolen in an attack. On the 14th (local time), Eco Protocol stated on X (formerly Twitter), "We had 2,515.648579 uBTC, which was held in Bsquared, stolen," and added, "Our team is currently investigating the issue and will release a full analysis report soon." The statement continued, "Currently, Eco Protocol's vault collateral ratio stands at 20%, and withdrawals will be temporarily suspended from midnight (local time) for system security reasons." Furthermore, "User asset safety remains our top priority, and we will provide transparent updates as the situation progresses." Eco Protocol is a Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi) project that operates on an infrastructure based on Move.
The scale of El Salvador’s virtual asset (cryptocurrency) remittances, after declaring Bitcoin (BTC) as legal tender, has reportedly plunged by 45% year-on-year. Analysis suggests that concerns are mounting over the country’s Bitcoin-based economic strategy. According to Coinpedia, a virtual asset-focused media outlet, on the 14th (local time), El Salvador’s virtual asset remittance amount for the first quarter of this year was $16 million (about ₩21,870,000,000), a 44.5% decrease compared to the same period last year. This is the first double-digit decrease since El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. At one point, the quarterly remittance volume soared to $57 million via Chivo Wallet, but as of now, the total remittance amount ($3 billion) accounts for just 0.52%. The outlet added, “Volatility in Bitcoin prices and delays in local adoption have been cited as causes for the steep drop in remittance volumes,” and continued, “El Salvador has fostered virtual asset remittances aiming to reduce preexisting remittance fees and expand financial inclusion, but currently it cannot rule out the possibility of a large-scale adoption failure.”
Michael Saylor, CEO of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), emphasized that the flow of global capital will concentrate on Bitcoin and that the United States Government should respond strategically to this trend. According to Documenting Saylor, which records statements from Michael Saylor, on the 14th (local time), Saylor said, "Eventually, all global capital will flow into cyberspace, that is, into the Bitcoin Network," adding, "The United States should secure as much Bitcoin as possible before other countries realize the situation." Saylor explained that Bitcoin could become a key asset for the United States to secure leadership in the digital economy in the future, emphasizing the need for preemptive action at the national level.
The Israeli Defense Minister issued a stern warning to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating, "If missile attacks continue, Tehran will burn." According to The Times of Israel on the 14th (local time), Israeli Defense Minister Katz, together with Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, and David Barnea, Director of Mossad, held a military assessment meeting and said, "The dictator of Iran is taking his own people hostage, and particularly, the citizens of Tehran will pay the price for the crimes targeting Israeli civilians." He repeated his warning, "If Khamenei continues to launch missiles toward Israeli territory, Tehran will burn."
As the armed conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, further retaliatory warnings have been issued targeting U.S. military bases in the Middle East. The global financial markets are also reacting sensitively to these developments. On the 14th (local time), The Financial Express, an overseas economic media outlet, reported citing Iranian local media that “a high-ranking Iranian military official stated that the conflict will not end with last night’s limited response and that, within the next few days, the conflict could spread to U.S. military bases in the region.” Previously, Israel had carried out airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, and in retaliation, Iran launched about 100 ballistic missiles across Israel. As a result, it was reported that high-ranking figures, including IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists, had been killed. Subsequently, the Israeli military announced that it had confirmed strikes on multiple targets, including Iran’s uranium conversion facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We will continue to retaliate as much as needed,” and claimed, “This attack targeted the heart of Iran’s ballistic missile program.” IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir emphasized, “We have reached the point of no return,” and added, “Freedom is given to those who fight.” Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he had attempted a diplomatic solution. Trump mentioned, “I hoped negotiations would be achieved if possible,” but also evaluated the current Israeli operation as a “brilliant and successful operation.” He urged the Iranian side to “return to the negotiating table before it is too late.” Nuclear negotiations between the two nations were scheduled to be resumed in Oman this week; however, the ongoing military conflict has cast uncertainty over whether they will take place. Meanwhile, this conflict has also had a significant impact on the global financial markets. Concerns over disruptions in Middle Eastern maritime transport routes have caused oil prices to surge, U.S. stock markets have turned downward, and the price of gold has risen as investors have flocked to safe assets.
The meme coin Degen (DEGEN) has been officially selected for the Binance Alpha platform. On the 14th (local time), Binance Alpha announced, "We have selected Degen as a Binance Alpha project. Users holding more than 245 Alpha Points can claim 13,862 DEGEN tokens from the Alpha event page." This airdrop will start at 16:00 (KST) on the same day, and users must complete the claim within 24 hours. If the claim is not completed, it will be considered forfeited. According to Binance Alpha, 15 points are deducted for each airdrop claim. This structure is designed to encourage differentiated participation among point holders. Meanwhile, Binance announced that starting from the 19th, the Alpha Airdrop will be operated through a two-step process. The first stage will allow users who possess more than the existing standard (X points) to claim during a specified period, while the second stage will relax the threshold to a new standard (Y points) and distribute any remaining tokens on a first-come, first-served basis. Detailed criteria and schedule will be provided later.
Bitcoin (BTC) temporarily dropped below $105,000. As of 16:14 on the 14th, BTC is trading at $104,894 in the Binance USDT market, up 0.47% from the previous day (₩145,800,000 on Upbit exchange). Recently, there's analysis suggesting that heightened tensions in the Middle East are dampening investor sentiment towards risk assets. Meanwhile, according to Cryprice, the Kimchi Premium for major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) is recorded at 1.57%.
Following its missile launch toward Israel the previous day, Iran has warned of additional retaliatory attacks. According to Reuters on the 14th (local time), a senior Iranian military official stated, "This conflict will not end with last night's limited actions," and added, "Iran's strikes will continue, and these actions will be extremely painful and regrettable for the aggressors." He further mentioned that the current conflict could expand to include U.S. military bases. Previously, on the 13th (local time), Iran launched multiple missiles towards Israel from over central Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip.
It has been revealed that President Trump earned approximately $57.43 million (about ₩78,630,000,000) from the cryptocurrency project World Liberty Financial (World Liberty Financial·WLFI). On the 14th, cryptocurrency-focused media outlet Cointelegraph reported, citing 2025 financial disclosure documents submitted to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE). According to the outlet, President Trump holds 15,750,000,000 WLFI governance tokens, which also carry voting rights. The document lists $57,437,927 as an income item, but it does not specify whether this amount was generated from the actual sale of tokens, staking rewards, or other means. The market price or valuation method of WLFI tokens was also not disclosed. WLFI is a project launched in September last year centered on DeFi and dollar-linked stablecoins. The company raised a total of $550 million (about ₩753,000,000,000) through the first and second token sales in 2024, raising $200 million and $250 million, respectively. In addition to WLFI, Trump is also involved in digital asset-related holding companies such as CIC Digital and CIC Ventures; however, the documents state that actual earnings from these entities are minimal or that activities have been suspended. The outlet added, "President Trump has previously earned income from cryptocurrency-related businesses such as NFT-based digital trading cards, but no new NFT-related income was included in this disclosure." Meanwhile, this disclosure includes President Trump's signature, affirming that "the reported information is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge."
Kang Jun-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, will hold a 'Digital Asset Innovation Act Public Briefing'. According to the industry on the 14th, Kang, who serves as the secretary of the National Policy Committee in the National Assembly, announced that he will hold the 'Digital Asset Innovation Act Public Briefing' at the 2nd Conference Room of the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 17th. The event is co-hosted by Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers belonging to the National Policy Committee and organized by the Korea Fintech Industry Association. This briefing follows the ongoing discussions of four previous 'National Assembly Forums for the Enactment of the Digital Asset Basic Act'. It is explained that the direction of the proposed legislation reflects the aims of the Lee Jae-myung administration to secure technological sovereignty and foster future industries by cultivating digital assets as a new industry, while also including provisions for consumer protection and the regulation of unfair trade. The Digital Asset Innovation Act is a follow-up bill to the 'Virtual Asset User Protection Act', which includes the classification of digital asset business operators, the establishment of function-based regulatory frameworks, and standards for anti-money laundering. At the briefing, key provisions, legislative intent, the progress so far, and the future schedule will be explained. Kang said, "This is a preliminary process to share major contents of the bill—such as the classification of digital asset businesses and the regulatory framework for the issuance and distribution of stablecoins—with the industry, and to minimize market confusion," adding, "It will serve as a starting point for the government, National Assembly, and industry stakeholders to build consensus and continue discussions on institutionalization."
The Iranian government has taken a hardline stance, claiming that negotiations over nuclear issues with the United States are no longer meaningful following Israel's military attack. According to Reuters on the 14th (local time), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated, "The actions of the United States have rendered dialogue meaningless," and criticized the U.S. for "insisting on negotiations while at the same time dividing roles so that the Zionist regime (Israel) attacks Iranian territory, which is inconsistent." He further added, "Israel's attack could not have taken place without the approval of the United States."
The Trump Organization, the business entity of former President Trump's family, has announced a major event set for June 16 at Trump Tower in New York, USA. According to virtual asset (cryptocurrency) specialist media Outlet Daily on the 14th, The Trump Organization plans to make its official statement at 8 a.m. (local time) on June 16 at Trump Tower in New York. Eric Trump, the second son of President Trump, is the Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization and is known as one of the key decision-makers in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency project, World Liberty Financial (World Liberty Financial). The media outlet noted, “The Trump Organization previously filed a trademark application for ‘TRUMP’ intended for metaverse and non-fungible token (NFT) trading platforms,” adding, “This announcement is also gaining weight as it may reveal the substance of related businesses.”
Coinbase assessed that Bitcoin (BTC) could serve as an alternative asset in response to government fiscal instability. According to Benzinga Crypto, a cryptocurrency-focused media outlet, Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, attended the 'State of Crypto' summit held the previous day and stated, "Bitcoin could emerge as a new global reserve currency," adding, "As unlimited government spending and increasing economic uncertainty persist, people will ultimately turn to Bitcoin as a safe haven." He remarked, "Bitcoin can act as a tool to keep government spending in check, and when control is lost, it functions as an asset refuge," further commenting, "Ultimately, there is a possibility that Bitcoin becomes the world's reserve currency." He also added, "If stablecoins serve as a medium of exchange, Bitcoin's role as a store of value is being strengthened." The media outlet analyzed that "the view of Bitcoin as a reserve asset has been steadily spreading in recent years," and noted, "It is especially attracting attention in countries facing inflation, sanctions, or instability in the banking system."
The stock price of the US-listed company SharpLink Gaming (SharpLink Gaming), which announced its intention for an Ethereum strategic reserve, plunged 66.34% during intraday trading. According to cryptocurrency-focused media outlet Blockbit on the 13th (local time), SharpLink Gaming showed a sharp decline on the Nasdaq market, trading at $10.96 per share. Its market capitalization is estimated at around $653 million. Previously, SharpLink Gaming invested approximately $463 million to purchase 176,271 Ethereum (ETH) tokens. This 'Ethereum strategic reserve' has drawn market attention, as it is compared to the Bitcoin holding strategy of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy). However, there was no specific explanation provided for the sharp decline on this day.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has officially stated that there are no longer any obstacles blocking the conclusion of a trade agreement with the United States. According to international economic news channel Walter Bloomberg on the 13th (local time), Prime Minister Starmer emphasized, "There are no remaining obstacles to concluding the agreement." Previously, Prime Minister Starmer stated in Parliament last week that it may take a 'few more weeks' for the US-UK trade deal to be fully implemented.
Global asset management firm BlackRock diagnosed that the crypto asset (cryptocurrency) market is still in its early stages, predicting that structural innovations and opportunities will open up in the long run. According to crypto-specialized media Blockworks on the 13th (local time), Rob Goldstein, BlackRock's Chief Operating Officer (COO), remarked as such at the 'State of Crypto' summit hosted by Coinbase the previous day. Goldstein said, "We have been studying cryptocurrencies since 2017," and added that "in particular, we judged that stablecoins have tremendous utility." He further stated, "The underlying assets of stablecoins should not be things like money market funds, but rather should be managed within money market funds." He also mentioned BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF 'IBIT.' Goldstein explained, "IBIT is a 'bridge strategy' product designed to allow access to Bitcoin without buying it directly." He added, "Among the top 25 ETFs in the world, there is only one ETF younger than IBIT, and although IBIT has only been around for 18 months, it has already achieved meaningful results." He continued, "The current financial system is slow, costly, and lacks scalability due to legacy structures that have accumulated over decades," emphasizing, "The entire fund industry is naturally reaching a point of innovation through technology and tokenization." He concluded, "This is just the beginning, and tremendous opportunities remain."
It has been reported that Invesco and Galaxy Digital are working to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on Solana (SOL). According to cryptocurrency-focused media outlet O'Daily on the 13th, "the Invesco Galaxy Solana ETF has been officially registered in Delaware." This is interpreted as part of the procedure for launching an ETF. Meanwhile, to launch an ETF in the United States, a corporation or trust must be established to operate the ETF, and it is commonly practiced to register in Delaware, which is known for being business-friendly and having favorable tax conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump assessed that Israel's airstrike on Iran would have a positive impact on the market. According to O'Daily, a virtual asset (cryptocurrency) news outlet, Trump said in a phone interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 13th (local time), "Since Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons, this attack will benefit the market." He emphasized, "This airstrike will have a positive effect on the market by deterring Iran from possessing nuclear weapons." Trump added, "I spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday and plan to speak with him again today."
a16z Crypto has invested $33 million (approximately ₩45.2 billion) in Yupp, a platform that evaluates artificial intelligence (AI) models through a virtual asset (cryptocurrency)-based reward system. According to The Block, a crypto-specialized media outlet, a16z Crypto, the cryptocurrency investment division of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, announced that it led the seed round for the AI startup Yupp, investing a total of $33 million. More than 45 angel and strategic investors also participated in this round, including Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google, Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Evan Sharp, co-founder of Pinterest, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, and Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of Coinbase. Yupp is a platform where responses of various AI models—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and DeepSeek—can be compared side-by-side and feedback can be provided. User feedback is rewarded through a crypto-based incentive system. Rewards are paid either as stablecoins on Base or Solana, or as cash via Stripe, PayPal, or Coinbase. Regarding the background of the investment, a16z explained, "AI needs a reliable evaluation system based on large-scale human feedback," adding, "Blockchain is a technology that ensures transparency and ownership, while crypto provides rewards to users and trustworthy feedback data to developers."
Global financial firm JP Morgan has raised the target prices of major Bitcoin (BTC) mining companies as their profitability has improved. According to CoinDesk, a media outlet specializing in digital assets (cryptocurrency), JP Morgan stated in a recent research report that it is raising the target price for CleanSpark from $12 to $14, for Riot Platforms from $13 to $14, and for MARA Holdings from $18 to $19. The report explained, “The target price increases are attributed to the rise in Bitcoin prices and improvement in mining profitability,” adding, “This reflects Q1 results along with the trends in network hash rate and Bitcoin price.” In terms of investment opinion, JP Morgan maintained an ‘Overweight’ rating for CleanSpark, Iren (IREN), and Riot, and reaffirmed a ‘Neutral’ rating for Cipher Mining and MARA Holdings. The outlet added, “JP Morgan had already diagnosed signs of recovery in the profitability of the mining sector last month,” and “this latest target price revision is an extension of that analysis.”
An on-chain analysis has revealed that long-term holders of Bitcoin (BTC) are still maintaining their positions. On the 13th (local time), on-chain data platform Glassnode stated via X (formerly Twitter), "The RHODL (Risk-Adjusted HODL) ratio for Bitcoin recently failed to surpass 2, formed a peak, and has now turned downward," and "While the activity of short-term holders is currently increasing, there are still no signs of large-scale outflows among long-term holders." Meanwhile, the RHODL ratio is an indicator that determines potential market overheating by considering the realized value between short-term and medium-term holders.
Tokenization technology is emerging as next-generation infrastructure that could fundamentally reshape the financial system and unlock a multi-trillion dollar market, according to new projections. On the 13th (local time), Benzinga Crypto, a global virtual asset (cryptocurrency) media outlet, reported that global investment bank Bernstein has recently stated in a report that real-world asset (RWA) tokenization has the potential to structurally transform traditional finance. The report emphasized that, "Tokenization is not simply the act of putting physical assets on the blockchain, but rather an approach to improving the very infrastructure of the marketplace." In particular, the report pointed to the advantages of tokenization as ▲faster settlement speeds ▲enhanced transparency ▲reduced transaction costs ▲expanded access to investments in illiquid assets. Initially, stablecoins and tokenized Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are highlighted as the most suitable structures for connecting with current financial systems. The report analyzed, "Traditional financial institutions are piloting blockchain-based payment and collateral systems," and added, "The stability and efficiency have already been verified through pilot projects." It continued, "While tokenization is currently being introduced mainly in private blockchain environments, there is a possibility of expansion into decentralized infrastructures as technology and regulatory tools mature." Specifically, the report identified the main markets that could be impacted by tokenization as ▲the $800 billion private credit (unlisted loan) sector ▲the $400 billion real estate market ▲the multi-trillion dollar trade finance area. The report stated, "If market infrastructure issues can be resolved, the opportunities for tokenization could expand exponentially." The report also added, "Recently, asset managers, banks, and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are actively considering entry into the tokenization market," and projected, "If an environment is created where real-time settlement and compliance are satisfied on-chain, the inflow of institutional funds will become more active."
The Israeli military announced that it has struck Iran's surface-to-surface missile base, escalating military clashes between the two countries once again. According to Walter Bloomberg, a global economic news channel, on the 13th (local time), the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Iran's surface-to-surface missile sites. The precise locations targeted and the extent of the damage were not disclosed. Iran reportedly submitted an official letter of protest to the UN Security Council immediately following the incident. The Iranian government stated, "Israel's actions are cowardly and illegal attacks," asserting, "There will inevitably be a firm and proportionate response."
Despite the conflict between Iran and Israel, Bitcoin (BTC) showed a rebound trend, leading to analysis suggesting the emergence of a rally pattern similar to last year's 80% surge. According to cryptocurrency-specialized media outlet Cointelegraph on the 13th (local time), Bitcoin slid 5.5% to $102,800 following Israel's airstrike on Iran, but later rebounded to recover $105,100. Analysts note that this rebound began with support at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA), which is similar to the 80% surge witnessed in October last year amid the Iran-Israel conflict. At that time, after Iran's missile strike, Bitcoin dropped 8.8%, but after rebounding from the 50-day line, it soared over 80% in two months to reach $108,365. Andre Dragos, Research Director at ETC Group under Bitwise, analyzed, "Geopolitical conflict induces short-term corrections, but Bitcoin usually manages to rebound within 50 days to recover its previous highs." Additionally, expectations for a US Fed rate cut, eased US-China trade tensions, and on-chain whale accumulation signals are all contributing to Bitcoin's upward trend. Analyst Merelain the Trader stated, "Bitcoin may break through resistance via a similar 'liquidity grab' pattern as last year, and the same structure, the same traps, and the same breakout can be repeated in 2024." The media added, "Some argue that Bitcoin is showing signs of fatigue near its current peak and may struggle to rise further, but many analysts are predicting that Bitcoin could surpass $150,000 to $200,000 by the end of the year."
The Brazilian listed company Méliuz has initiated additional fundraising to expand its Bitcoin (BTC) holdings. According to the cryptocurrency-focused media outlet Bitcoin Magazine on the 13th, Méliuz raised $32.5 million (approximately ₩44,544,500,000) to purchase additional Bitcoin. Notably, Méliuz was the first company among Brazilian firms to include Bitcoin on its balance sheet, and it continues to acquire Bitcoin. Méliuz currently holds 320.25 BTC.
Amid ongoing military operations by Israel, reports have emerged that Iran's announced retaliatory measures are imminent. On the 13th (local time), international economic news channel Walter Bloomberg reported, quoting Middle Eastern media outlet Pars (FARS) and an anonymous security source, that "Iran's retaliation will be carried out soon."
NASDAQ-listed SharpLink Gaming has reportedly purchased a total of 176,271 Ethereum (ETH). According to GlobeNewswire on the 13th (local time), SharpLink Gaming stated, "We have purchased ETH worth a total of $462,947,816," adding, "The average purchase price per ETH, including fees, was $2,626, and over 95% of our total holdings are currently stored through staking and liquid staking methods." Rob Phythian, CEO of SharpLink, commented, "Ethereum is a core infrastructure for future digital commerce and decentralized applications," adding, "Selecting ETH as the company's central treasury reserve asset reflects this conviction." Previously, SharpLink Gaming announced its intention to strategically accumulate Ethereum.
The Polkadot (DOT) community is discussing a plan to create reserves by converting 500,000 DOT into assets linked to Bitcoin. According to CoinKu, a virtual asset (cryptocurrency) media outlet, on the 13th (local time), the Polkadot community is considering gradually converting 500,000 DOT into tBTC over the next year. Meanwhile, tBTC is a non-custodial Bitcoin asset based on the Threshold Network, holding the same value as Bitcoin. The proposer explained, "This reserve creation is for risk management purposes, not for speculation," and added, "Waiting for ideal market timing could delay diversification strategies indefinitely." However, there have been mixed reactions within the community. Some members reportedly worry that creating reserves could trigger additional sell pressure in the market. There are also questions about whether this kind of proposal will have practical long-term effectiveness. This proposal has not yet reached the stage of an on-chain vote. After further community discussion, a decision on whether to put it to a vote will be made according to future governance procedures.