Throughout the week, the crypto market maintained a bullish sentiment. Bitcoin traded in the range of $112,000–$124,000, experiencing a minor correction after hitting a new all-time high ($124,000 on August 14) but confidently held above $115,000 by the week’s end. Ethereum reached a new historical record, peaking around $4,900 and closing the week at $4,800, demonstrating double-digit weekly growth. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization exceeded $4 trillion, boosting optimism among institutional and retail investors.
Macroeconomics: Fed-Driven Momentum
Signals of a potential easing of U.S. monetary policy added further momentum to digital assets. At the Jackson Hole Symposium on Friday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a possible rate cut as early as September, instantly triggering a surge in risk appetite: cryptocurrencies and U.S. stock indices rallied sharply in evening trading.
Institutional Growth and Regulation
The market is witnessing large-scale capital inflows:
- The U.S. has approved the inclusion of cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, and others) in retirement plans, accelerating the transition of retail and institutional investors to digital assets.
- The first U.S.-approved Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have launched; Europe has implemented the unified MiCA regulation, ensuring transparency for companies across the EU.
- In Asia, Kazakhstan introduced the region’s first Bitcoin ETF (Fontex Bitcoin ETF) via the Astana International Exchange, providing access to Bitcoin on traditional financial markets.
Regulatory initiatives in 2025 are largely positive: the U.S. has passed a stablecoin law requiring 100% reserve backing for all issuers. The Clarity Act classified BTC and ETH as commodities, while most altcoins were recognized as securities, simplifying oversight and reducing legal risks for investors.
Altcoins and Weekly Trends
- XRP (Ripple) briefly surpassed $3 following the resolution of legal disputes and restored institutional confidence.
- Solana (SOL) consolidated above $200, driven by platform recovery after technical issues and high activity in the DeFi sector.
- Binance Coin (BNB) reached $880, setting a new all-time high amid the expansion of BNB Chain and increased exchange activity.
- Altcoin season took center stage: the growth of many tokens is linked to capital rotation in search of higher yields.
- Meme tokens (including Dogecoin) also showed explosive momentum, bolstered by the broader market rally.
Stablecoin Leaders and DeFi Integration
Stablecoins (USDT, USDC) continue to dominate, with their combined market capitalization exceeding $120 billion. Major issuers are actively allocating reserves to U.S. government bonds, and USDT has become one of the largest holders of U.S. debt.
Key DeFi protocols and NFT projects continue to generate significant cash flow, while institutional funds are investing in the sector’s infrastructure and application solutions.
Russia, CIS, and Asia
- Russian regulators are tightening measures against risky P2P operations and money laundering, with discussions underway about launching local crypto exchanges and a digital ruble.
- Hong Kong has implemented new standards for client fund storage on licensed exchanges, strengthening the region’s position as a key industry hub in Asia.
Outlook
Analysts note that the fundamental growth of cryptocurrency adoption and their integration into traditional financial systems support a long-term bullish trend. In the coming weeks, the market anticipates the Fed meeting, new ETF products, and continued institutional capital inflows. Short-term volatility is likely, but long-term expectations remain positive.