Cryptocurrency News August 2, 2025 - Bitcoin at $114K, Regulators, XRP, and Top 10 Coins

The cryptocurrency market is closing the week on a relatively positive note. Bitcoin remains around its recent highs despite a slight correction in Friday's trading, as investors assess the industry's prospects amid important regulatory signals. The ongoing legal news surrounding Ripple (XRP) and expectations for the launch of new cryptocurrency ETFs remain in the spotlight, while leading altcoins exhibit mixed performance.

Cryptocurrency Market: Consolidation After Rally

Following a remarkable rise in July, the cryptocurrency market is experiencing a phase of consolidation at the beginning of August. The total market capitalization of digital assets, which exceeded $4 trillion in mid-July, has retreated to approximately $3.8 trillion amid widespread price declines in the last session of the week. All top-10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization ended Friday in the red, signaling profit-taking by investors after an impressive rally.

Part of the current decline can be attributed to active selling at key levels — Bitcoin's recent surge to ~$114K has made this threshold a point of exit for several major holders. Additionally, external factors have influenced sentiment: reports of new trade tariffs in the U.S. prompted a pullback from risk assets in global markets, impacting cryptocurrencies as well. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve maintained its base rate at 4.25%, aligning with market expectations and avoiding shocks. However, upcoming inflation data and the annual Fed symposium in Jackson Hole could increase volatility and affect investor appetite for digital assets.

Bitcoin: Consolidation Below Historical High

The flagship cryptocurrency is holding positions around $115–118K after reaching a new record high near $123K in July. The month was relatively calm for Bitcoin: after a rally towards $120K in mid-month, the price entered a narrow range with reduced volatility. Nevertheless, analysts warn that this calm may be temporary. If BTC confidently surpasses the psychological barrier of $120K, the next target could be the $140K range. According to investment bank Bernstein, by the end of 2025, Bitcoin could even reach $200K due to increasing support from major investors.

So far, bulls have not succeeded in consolidating above $120K — blockchain data shows a spike in profit-taking by large "whales" at these levels. Many short-term holders realized profits as soon as BTC first broke the $120K mark. However, the long-term trend remains bullish: industry reports indicate ongoing accumulation of Bitcoin by institutional players and crypto funds. The combination of limited coin supply and capital inflows from major investors maintains a bullish sentiment, although short-term pullbacks are still possible.

Ethereum: Struggling to Break Above $4,000

The second-largest cryptocurrency also showed impressive growth last month — the price of Ethereum (ETH) gained approximately 50% in July, first climbing above $3,500 since spring. In late July, Ether approached the psychologically significant level of $4,000, but sellers met it around $3,900 and did not allow for an immediate breakthrough. As a result, by the end of the week, ETH retreated to approximately $3,650–3,700, reflecting a few percent lower than the peak value but significantly higher than the beginning of summer levels.

Despite the current correction, the fundamental trends for Ethereum remain positive. Analysts report that institutional investors have resumed interest in Ether: ETH exchange-traded funds have recorded capital inflows almost every day in July, reaching a record 20-day streak of uninterrupted investments. Increased activity in layer two solutions is supporting the network by attracting additional capital. Experts note that overcoming the $4,000 mark would pave the way to the historical maximum of ~$4,800, and under favorable conditions (improved liquidity in the markets and reduced regulatory risks), Ether could continue to grow towards the $6–7K range over time. However, as before, ETH volatility remains heightened compared to Bitcoin, so investors should be prepared for price fluctuations on the way to new peaks.

XRP: Awaiting SEC Decision

XRP, the token from Ripple, remains one of the most discussed assets in the market due to its protracted dispute with regulators. This week, XRP exhibited volatility, briefly falling below the key mark of $3. Last month, XRP's price climbed to $3.5–3.6 amid optimism following a partial legal victory for Ripple, but then failed to maintain those heights. Inability to overcome resistance around $3.6 triggered profit-taking, and by the end of the week, XRP returned to levels around $3.0.

The further dynamics of XRP largely depend on the actions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In June, Ripple fulfilled the terms of a settlement by paying a $125 million fine and withdrawing its counterclaim, thus confirming last year's court decision that secondary sales of XRP are not securities. However, the SEC has not yet withdrawn its appeal. By August 15, both parties must submit a joint report to the court regarding the status of the case — the market is expecting clarity from the regulator by this date. If the SEC follows Ripple’s example and withdraws its appeal, the long-running legal saga will conclude, firmly establishing XRP's legal status in the market. Such an outcome would pave the way for a new growth phase in the Ripple ecosystem: the company has hinted that hundreds of potential partnerships and projects on the XRP Ledger await legal clarity, accelerating approval of the first XRP ETFs. Conversely, if the regulator prolongs the process, uncertainty could linger for months, continuing to dampen investor enthusiasm.

Despite the legal risks, institutional interest in XRP remains intact. Reports indicate that representatives from major financial firms are attending Ripple's industry events, and experts note heightened demand for XRP with each significant price decline. This suggests that large investors are preparing for a favorable resolution of the conflict with the SEC and see significant potential in the asset in the absence of regulatory barriers.

Other Leading Cryptocurrencies

Among other assets in the top ten, mixed dynamics are observed. Binance Coin (BNB) climbed above $750 this week, setting a new historical high due to strong demand for the Binance ecosystem and regular coin burns. However, by the weekend, BNB partially retraced along with the rest of the market. Platform tokens Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL), after a steady rise in the first half of summer, paused: ADA decreased by about 10% from its recent peak (from ~$0.90 to ~$0.72), while SOL corrected from ~$200 to around $170. In the near future, the important support level for Cardano is around $0.64, while for Solana, it is the $150–160 corridor, where buyer activity had previously emerged.

The meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) continues to exhibit high volatility. After a surge in July, DOGE’s prices have retraced approximately 7% over the last day, returning to around $0.20, reflecting a decline in investor interest in risky "joke" coins. At the same time, Tron (TRX) stood out for its relative stability: its price (~$0.33) has hardly changed over the week. The Tron network is supported by its steady use for stablecoins and DeFi applications, which smooths out price fluctuations. The leading stablecoins — Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) — still serve as a “digital dollar” in the crypto market, reliably maintaining a peg to $1. Their combined market capitalization is estimated at around $110 billion, reflecting high demand for liquidity to trade crypto assets.

Top 10 Most Popular Cryptocurrencies

1. Bitcoin (BTC) - the first and largest cryptocurrency (around $115K per BTC). Dominates the market (over 50% of total capitalization) and is perceived as "digital gold" due to its limited supply.
2. Ethereum (ETH) - the second-largest cryptocurrency (around $3,700). The largest smart contracts platform, the foundation of DeFi and NFT ecosystems, serves as the basis for numerous blockchain applications.
3. Tether (USDT) - the leading stablecoin pegged to the dollar 1:1 (market capitalization of about $80 billion). Widely used by traders for storing funds and settling between various cryptocurrencies.
4. Binance Coin (BNB) - the native token of the Binance exchange (around $750). Used to pay transaction fees on the Binance platform and in Binance Smart Chain applications; in demand due to the growth of the Binance ecosystem.
5. XRP (XRP) - the token of Ripple (around $3). One of the largest crypto assets designed to expedite international payments. Its price is influenced by Ripple's legal disputes with the SEC.
6. USD Coin (USDC) - the second-largest stablecoin (market capitalization of around $30 billion), also backed by $1 reserves. Popular among institutional investors due to its high transparency of reserves.
7. Solana (SOL) - a rapidly growing blockchain project (around $170). Provides high transaction speeds and low fees, attracting DeFi and NFT developers; one of the main competitors to Ethereum in the smart contracts space.
8. Cardano (ADA) - a blockchain platform (around $0.70), developing through a research-driven approach. Supports smart contracts, focused on long-term scalability and network sustainability, and has one of the most active communities.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE) - a well-known meme cryptocurrency (around $0.20). Created as a joke but has gained recognition among the largest coins due to community support and mentions by public figures (e.g., Elon Musk).
10. Tron (TRX) - a smart contract platform (around $0.33), initially focused on entertainment and content. Now the Tron network handles a significant volume of stablecoin transactions (USDT) and numerous DeFi applications.

Regulation and Institutional Interest

The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrencies is gradually clarifying, which supports the confidence of major investors. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a package of cryptocurrency industry bills. One of them establishes a legal framework for stablecoins, setting requirements for their backing and oversight of dollar-pegged coins. It is expected that President Donald Trump will sign this bill, marking the first federal recognition of stablecoins. Simultaneously, lawmakers are advancing broad legislation to regulate the cryptocurrency market.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is also making steps toward the industry. The regulator has updated exchange-traded fund listing standards: it is now possible to launch ETFs for cryptocurrencies on which futures have been traded for at least six months. This opens the door to the appearance of spot ETFs for several major altcoins — including XRP, Solana, and even Dogecoin — by this fall. Bloomberg analysts estimate the probability of such products being approved at about 85% in September-October 2025.

Institutional investors continue to increase their presence in the crypto space. Major asset managers, such as BlackRock and Fidelity, have submitted applications to launch spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs — these initiatives are under review by regulators and could receive the green light in the coming months. An increasing number of public companies are adding Bitcoin to their treasury reserves as a long-term asset, reinforcing its status as "digital gold" in the corporate sector. There is also a noticeable shift in investments: in July, capital inflows into Ethereum funds exceeded those into Bitcoin funds, reflecting high expectations for the launch of Ethereum ETFs. On the international stage, the MiCA regulation is coming into effect in the European Union, introducing uniform rules for the circulation of crypto assets and stablecoins across all EU countries. These steps enhance the integration of cryptocurrencies into the mainstream financial system and reduce uncertainty for institutional players.

Market Outlook

Historically, the end of summer often accompanies corrections or sideways dynamics in the crypto market, and this year is no exception. Large investors have already taken profits after the recent rally, which may temporarily restrain price growth. Nevertheless, most analysts view this pause as a healthy phenomenon, forming a base for the next uptrend.

The market's further direction will largely depend on external factors. If macro conditions improve (further slowdown in inflation, easing of the Federal Reserve's policy), interest in risk assets will rise. A number of experts estimate the probability of Bitcoin reaching $150K by the end of the year at around 50%. Additional drivers could include positive industry events: resolution of the XRP situation, launch of ETFs on major altcoins, and influx of new institutional capital. Under favorable circumstances, the cryptocurrency market could gain new momentum for growth by the end of 2025, once again confirming its status as one of the most dynamic and attractive sectors for modern investors.