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And now, brace yourselves! I’m beyond excited to drop the latest MNO Weekly CryptoNews Digest for August 4 – August 10, 2025. This edition is packed with the most explosive stories, emerging trends, and key insights shaping the crypto world. Let’s get into it!

BITCOIN’S FAILED BREAKOUT: ARE WHALES MANIPULATING THE MARKET?

Bitcoin’s price trajectory over the past week, from August 4-10, has been a rollercoaster of bullish signals followed by disappointing reversals. The week began with a hopeful rally, pushing the price to test resistance levels around the $118,000 mark. Analysts pointed to robust institutional inflows and a general risk-on sentiment in traditional markets as the primary drivers. For a brief period, it seemed as though Bitcoin was poised for a major breakout, with many in the community predicting a swift move towards $120,000 and beyond.

However, as the week progressed, that momentum evaporated. A series of large sell orders, widely speculated to be from institutional “whales,” pushed the price back down, erasing the week’s gains. This sell-off was particularly frustrating for retail investors who had bought in during the initial rally, only to see their portfolios shrink. The incident has reignited the perennial debate about market manipulation, with critics arguing that a few large players can single-handedly control the market’s direction, making it an unfair game for the average investor.

Looking ahead to next week, the outlook is more divided than ever. One camp of analysts, buoyed by the underlying institutional demand and a potentially soft-landing narrative for the global economy, remains cautiously optimistic. They predict that Bitcoin will continue to consolidate in the $116,000 to $118,000 range, building a stronger base before its next upward move. This faction believes that the recent dip was a necessary shakeout and that the long-term bullish trend remains intact.

Conversely, a growing number of skeptics are warning of a potential “bull trap.” They point to the declining trading volume and mixed technical indicators, arguing that the recent rally was a final gasp before a more significant correction. This group predicts that Bitcoin could retest key support levels around $114,000 or even $112,000 in the coming days. The next week will be a crucial test of strength for Bitcoin, as the market looks for a clear signal on whether the bull run is still in control or if a more prolonged downturn is on the horizon.

TRUMP-BACKED CRYPTO VENTURE FLOATS $1.5 BILLION FUNDRAISING ROUND

A new cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, which is backed by the Trump family, is reportedly seeking to raise $1.5 billion. The fundraising is intended to create a public company that will hold its native WLFI tokens. This news has immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and the ethical implications of a former president’s family directly profiting from a crypto scheme.

The move comes amid a broader shift in political sentiment towards cryptocurrency, with both sides of the aisle increasingly engaging with the industry. However, the direct involvement of a family with such political power in a high-stakes financial venture is unprecedented and has drawn sharp criticism. Observers have highlighted a series of past controversies and a history of the family’s business dealings, suggesting that this new project could be a means to leverage political influence for financial gain.

The timing of the fundraiser is also under scrutiny, following a series of pro-crypto policy announcements and a general push by the current administration to be more friendly to the industry. Opponents argue that this creates an appearance of corruption, where policy decisions could be influenced by the financial interests of those in power. The large sum of money being sought also raises questions about the project’s legitimacy and long-term viability, with some speculating that it could be more of a political statement than a genuine technological innovation.

This story has become a flashpoint for the debate over the intersection of politics and finance in the digital age. It challenges the traditional boundaries of political ethics and asks whether a political family should be allowed to launch a financial product that could be directly affected by the very policies they may influence. The outcome of the fundraising and the project’s future will be closely watched by regulators and the public alike.

ETHEREUM’S LATEST RALLY: A DECEITFUL PUMP OR A GENUINE BREAKOUT?

Ethereum has experienced a significant rally, with its price soaring by nearly 50% in the last month and breaking the $4,000 threshold. The surge is being attributed to record inflows into U.S. spot ETFs and a renewed institutional interest in the network. However, some analysts and market commentators are casting a skeptical eye on the rally, questioning whether it’s a sustainable breakout or a deceptive “pump” fueled by speculative hype and ETF flows that may not reflect true organic adoption.

The debate centers on the health of Ethereum’s underlying ecosystem. While the price is rising, there have been some signs of reduced staking demand and shifts in the validator queue, suggesting that not all parts of the network are experiencing the same level of bullish momentum. Critics argue that the ETF inflows are a double-edged sword, bringing in institutional capital but potentially making the market more susceptible to traditional financial market swings rather than true decentralized growth. This narrative suggests that the rally may be more of a temporary liquidity event than a fundamental shift in the network’s value.

On the other hand, proponents of the rally point to the network’s ongoing upgrades and the growing interest in DeFi, which they say are creating a solid foundation for long-term growth. They argue that institutional validation through ETFs is a crucial step in maturing the market and that the price increase is a direct result of this newfound legitimacy. For these investors, the price breaking $4,000 is not a fluke but a confirmation of Ethereum’s position as a critical piece of the future financial infrastructure.

The controversy highlights the deep divisions within the crypto community about what constitutes genuine growth. Is it retail interest and decentralized usage, or is it institutional validation and large capital inflows? The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether this rally has the staying power to silence the skeptics or if it will be remembered as another short-lived speculative bubble.

BANNED COINBASE AD SPARKS FREE SPEECH DEBATE IN THE UK

A controversial Coinbase ad, which was banned by regulators in the UK, has ignited a fierce debate about free speech, financial regulation, and the role of cryptocurrency in a modern society. The ad, which never explicitly mentions crypto, portrays a dystopian, mundane Britain with the message, “If everything’s just fine, don’t change anything,” followed by the Coinbase name. Regulators rejected it for promoting crypto without the required risk disclosures, a decision that has been heavily criticized by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and the wider crypto community.

The central argument from critics is that the ban is a form of censorship that stifles artistic expression and prevents companies from challenging the status quo. They argue that the ad’s message is a legitimate critique of the traditional financial system and that regulators are overstepping their bounds by preventing its airing. The move is seen as another example of a regulatory environment that is hostile to innovation and is designed to protect legacy institutions from disruptive technologies.

On the other side of the debate, regulators maintain that their primary duty is to protect consumers from high-risk investments. They argue that the ad’s subtle nature is precisely what makes it dangerous, as it preys on a sense of dissatisfaction with the current system without providing any of the necessary warnings about the volatility and risks associated with cryptocurrency. The ban, they say, is not about censorship but about consumer protection.

This incident has become a significant talking point, with many in the crypto world arguing that it reveals a deep-seated bias against the industry by traditional regulators. The controversy has not only raised awareness of Coinbase but has also served as a rallying cry for those who believe that cryptocurrency represents a new path forward and that its message should not be silenced. The debate continues to rage, with no clear resolution in sight.

RIPPLE-SEC LEGAL BATTLE REACHES SHOCKING END: IS THE SEC A PAPER TIGER?

In a stunning turn of events, the long-running legal battle between Ripple and the SEC has reportedly come to a definitive end, with the SEC formally dismissing its appeals. This development has sent shockwaves through the crypto market, with the price of XRP surging in response. However, the news has also sparked a new controversy, with some critics arguing that the SEC’s retreat exposes the agency as a “paper tiger” that lacks the legal and regulatory teeth to effectively govern the crypto industry.

The SEC’s decision to drop its appeals, after a long and drawn-out legal process, is being interpreted as a major victory for Ripple and a significant defeat for the regulatory body. Critics argue that this outcome demonstrates the SEC’s inability to apply outdated securities laws to the complex and decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. They claim that the agency’s strategy was fundamentally flawed from the start and that this outcome sets a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening other crypto projects to challenge the SEC in court.

On the other hand, some legal experts suggest that the SEC’s decision may be a strategic one, aimed at preserving its resources for other, more winnable cases. They argue that the SEC still has a powerful mandate and that this single outcome does not invalidate its overall authority. The legal clarity provided by the end of the Ripple case, they say, is a net positive for the industry, as it provides a framework for future projects to operate within.

The controversy highlights the fractured and uncertain regulatory landscape in the United States. With the SEC’s authority being publicly questioned, the debate over who should regulate crypto—and how—has become more urgent than ever. This outcome is likely to be a key talking point in future legislative discussions and will undoubtedly shape the legal strategies of other crypto projects facing similar regulatory scrutiny.

NEW YORK’S “DEBANKING” CRACKDOWN TARGETS CRYPTO FIRMS

The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has reportedly reached a $48 million settlement with Paxos over its failures to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, particularly in its dealings with Binance. This action is the latest in a series of “debanking” crackdowns that have hit the crypto industry hard. The move has been widely seen as a controversial and potentially covert attempt by regulators to stifle innovation and protect traditional financial institutions from competition.

Critics of the crackdown argue that regulators are using a heavy-handed approach to enforce rules that are often unclear or difficult to apply to the crypto space. They claim that these fines and settlements are a way to make it prohibitively expensive for crypto firms to operate in New York, effectively pushing them out of the market. This, they argue, benefits legacy banks and financial institutions that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and preventing the rise of a new, decentralized financial system.

On the other side of the coin, regulators maintain that their actions are necessary to protect consumers and the integrity of the financial system. They argue that cryptocurrency is a hotbed for illicit activities, including money laundering and fraud, and that strict enforcement of AML regulations is essential to prevent these activities from flourishing. The fines and settlements, they say, are a necessary measure to hold companies accountable for their failures and to ensure that the crypto industry operates with the same level of transparency and security as the traditional financial world.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between innovation and regulation. The crypto community argues that regulators are acting in bad faith, using a broad regulatory brush to paint the entire industry as illicit. Meanwhile, regulators are under pressure to prevent another financial crisis and are using every tool at their disposal to bring the crypto world to heel. The outcome of this struggle will have a significant impact on the future of cryptocurrency in one of the world’s most important financial hubs.

TORNADO CASH FOUNDER ROMAN STORM GETS $500,000 FOR APPEAL

In a surprising turn of events, Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm has reportedly been granted $500,000 to appeal his guilty verdict. This development has been hailed by many in the crypto community as a major step forward in the fight for financial privacy, while law enforcement and some regulators see it as a dangerous precedent that could undermine efforts to combat money laundering and other illicit activities. The funding, which likely came from a mix of private donations and crypto-native grants, has reignited the debate over the legal status of decentralized protocols.

Tornado Cash, a crypto “mixer,” was designed to obfuscate the trail of transactions, making it a popular tool for both privacy-conscious users and criminals seeking to launder stolen funds. Storm’s conviction was seen as a major win for law enforcement, who argued that developers of such tools could be held criminally liable for their misuse. However, the appeal is being championed by those who believe that writing code is a form of free speech and that developers should not be held responsible for how their technology is used by others. They argue that the conviction sets a dangerous precedent that could chill innovation and cripple the development of privacy-enhancing technologies.

The controversy highlights the fundamental clash between the principles of decentralization and the realities of modern law enforcement. The crypto community argues that the state should not have the power to dictate the types of tools that can be built, while law enforcement argues that a line must be drawn to prevent the proliferation of tools that are overwhelmingly used for criminal purposes. The funding for the appeal, in this context, is seen as a direct challenge to state power and a statement of defiance from a community that values privacy above all else.

The outcome of the appeal will have far-reaching consequences for the entire crypto industry. If Storm is successful, it could embolden other developers to build more privacy-focused tools and could force regulators to rethink their approach to decentralized protocols. If the appeal fails, it could solidify the idea that developers can be held criminally liable for the code they write, potentially pushing development offshore or into the shadows. The legal battle is not just about one person; it’s about the future of financial privacy and the role of code in a regulated world.

PI NETWORK’S PRICE CRASHES AMID OPEN MAINNET HOPES

The Pi Network, a project that has been in development for years, has seen its coin price crash by nearly 90% from its peak. This significant drop has occurred despite a surge in trading volume and renewed community optimism about the long-awaited “open mainnet” launch. The controversy surrounding the Pi Network has been reignited, with critics arguing that the project is a “slow rug pull” and a waste of time, while die-hard supporters maintain that the price crash is just a temporary setback before the project achieves its true potential.

The core of the controversy lies in the project’s unique structure. Pi Network has operated for years as a mobile-based, “tap-to-earn” app, allowing users to “mine” a digital token without consuming significant energy. However, the token has never been officially listed on a major exchange, and its value has been based on an unofficial, “IOU” market. The recent price crash is a stark reminder of the risks associated with such an ambiguous project, with many users feeling that they have wasted years of effort for a token that may never have a real-world value.

On the other hand, the project’s founders and its dedicated community argue that the open mainnet will change everything. They believe that once the blockchain is fully connected to the wider crypto ecosystem, the Pi token will finally gain real utility and its price will skyrocket. The recent surge in trading volume, they say, is a sign that there is still immense interest in the project and that the community is gearing up for the next phase of its journey.

The debate over the Pi Network is a microcosm of the broader struggle between hope and reality in the crypto world. It highlights the power of community and the human desire to be part of something bigger, but it also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of investing time and energy into a project with no clear path to profitability. The future of Pi Network remains uncertain, but its story is a lesson in the fine line between a revolutionary idea and a long-running scam.

BITCOIN MINING FIRM’S REVENUE PLUMMETS: IS THE INDUSTRY SUSTAINABLE?

Core Scientific, a major Bitcoin mining firm, has reported a significant decline in its Q2 mining revenue. The company’s revenue reportedly fell to $62.4 million from $110.7 million last year, largely due to a 62% decrease in Bitcoin output. This news has sparked a fresh round of discussions and controversy about the sustainability and profitability of the Bitcoin mining industry, especially in the wake of the latest halving event.

Critics of the mining industry argue that this decline is a clear sign that the model is becoming unsustainable. They claim that as rewards for mining decrease and the cost of energy and hardware remains high, many smaller and less efficient miners will be forced out of business. This could lead to a consolidation of power among a few large players, which would undermine the decentralized nature of the network. They argue that the entire model is a “race to the bottom” and that the environmental impact is no longer justifiable for the rewards being offered.

On the other hand, proponents of the industry argue that the decline in revenue is a natural and expected part of the market cycle. They point out that the halving event is designed to reduce the supply of new Bitcoin, which in the long run should drive up the price. They believe that companies like Core Scientific will adapt by becoming more efficient, using renewable energy, and diversifying their business models. They also argue that the consolidation of the industry is a sign of its maturity and that the remaining players will be more robust and better equipped to handle future market fluctuations.

This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between the environmental impact of Bitcoin and its economic viability. The news from Core Scientific is a wake-up call for the industry, which must now prove that it can adapt to a changing landscape. The debate over the sustainability of mining is not just about profit; it’s about the very future of Bitcoin itself.

GOLD-BACKED CRYPTOCURRENCIES REACH RECORD MINTING LEVELS

Gold-backed cryptocurrencies have achieved a historic minting volume of $439 million, the highest in five years. This surge in interest in commodity-backed digital assets comes amid growing gold trade uncertainties and tariff concerns. The news has sparked a controversial debate about whether this is a sign of a “flight to safety” and a validation of traditional assets, or if it represents a betrayal of the core principles of decentralized finance.

Critics from the hardcore crypto community argue that gold-backed tokens are a contradiction in terms. They claim that the entire point of cryptocurrency is to create a new, decentralized financial system that is free from the influence of government and traditional assets. By backing tokens with gold, which is a centralized and regulated asset, they argue that these projects are simply recreating the very system that crypto was designed to replace. They see this trend as a sign of weakness and a capitulation to the old financial guard.

Conversely, proponents of gold-backed cryptocurrencies argue that they offer the best of both worlds. They provide the stability and time-tested value of gold, combined with the security and efficiency of blockchain technology. They believe that this is the natural next step in the evolution of finance, as it allows people to own and trade physical assets in a digital format. For them, this trend is not a betrayal but a pragmatic and intelligent way to bridge the gap between the old and new financial systems.

The controversy highlights a deep ideological divide within the crypto community. On one side are the purists who believe in a completely decentralized future, and on the other are the pragmatists who are willing to use traditional assets to gain legitimacy and adoption. The record-breaking minting volume of gold-backed tokens suggests that for now, the pragmatists are winning, but the debate over the soul of cryptocurrency is far from over.

And with that, I’m signing off for a quick Sunday recharge—but before I go, I need YOU to cast your vote in the latest MNO TalkBack poll. Your hot take is everything, and it’s how I know exactly what to dive into next!

Don’t worry, I’ll be back next Sunday with a brand new edition of the Weekly CryptoNews Digest. It’s going to be packed with jaw-dropping insights, must-see data, and money-making strategies you won’t find anywhere else. I’m talking about the secrets to growing and securing your crypto bag like a pro!

Seriously, your hustle and input are what make MNO the best crypto crew on the planet. I’m beyond grateful for every single one of you. Let’s get this digital bread, together. For Money Lovers, always.