17/08/2025. Weekly CryptoNews Digest (August, 11 – August, 17)

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And now, get ready to dive in! I’m fired up to unveil the latest MNO Weekly CryptoNews Digest covering August 11–17, 2025. This week’s edition is loaded with high-voltage stories, breakout trends, and razor-sharp insights that are shaking up the crypto universe.

From market-moving headlines to behind-the-scenes power plays, we’re breaking it all down. Whether you’re stacking sats or scouting the next altcoin breakout, this digest is your edge.

So buckle up — we’re about to unpack the biggest moves, boldest shifts, and smartest plays in the digital asset game. Let’s get straight into the action.

BITCOIN AND ETHEREUM TANK: MARKET CORRECTION OR LOOMING CRASH?

After a summer period characterized by relatively stable growth, the week of August 11–17, 2025, shook the cryptocurrency markets profoundly. The most widely traded cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), both experienced sharp corrections that rattled investor confidence worldwide. On August 13, Bitcoin, which had just breached an all-time high of $124,000, plummeted to $118,000 within hours, wiping out more than $100 billion in overall crypto market capitalization. Ethereum closely mirrored this volatility, falling below $4,800 after a multi-month rally that saw it peaking near record highs.

The correction was sparked by a mixture of technical factors and adverse macroeconomic news. A hotter-than-expected U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) report revealed annual inflation at 3.3%, well above the projected 2.5%. This surprise set off a chain reaction in global markets, sending not just cryptocurrencies but also equities into a downward spiral. The anticipation of delayed Federal Reserve interest rate cuts—a key factor for risk assets—further contributed to the sell-off. Amid this uncertainty, technical signals such as a bearish divergence on Bitcoin’s relative strength index (RSI) and the formation of a double top pattern raised red flags for seasoned traders, who swiftly adjusted their positions.

The carnage extended to leveraged traders, with over $1 billion in positions liquidated in a single day—the largest daily flush of long bets in August. While this rapid deleveraging exacerbated volatility, many analysts suggested it represented a “healthy shakeout” following a record-setting rally. Market sentiment, however, became sharply divided. Some traders interpreted the pullback as a standard market correction priming Bitcoin for a new leg upward, perhaps even toward the $140,000 target cited by bullish commentators. Others pointed to systemic risks: overleveraged positions, institutional treasury selling potential, and the persistent threat of adverse macro surprises.

Despite the tumult, the options market did not yet price in significant downside risk, and the 30-day BTC options delta skew remained below bearish thresholds. Nevertheless, with total market capitalization still sitting above $4 trillion and Bitcoin dominance at 55%, the week was a stark reminder of the market’s volatility and the persistent influence of macro policies on digital assets. Whether this correction marks a turning point or merely a pause in a longer bull run was debated heatedly in trading forums and across social media.

TRUMP ORDERS 16,000 BITMAIN ASICS AMID TRADE WAR

Arguably the most politically charged story of the week involved the ongoing U.S.-China trade war’s impact on the global crypto mining industry. In a stunning move, American Bitcoin Corp—a mining firm reportedly backed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s family—announced the $314 million purchase of 16,299 Antminer ASIC units from Chinese behemoth Bitmain. This order represents a staggering 14 exahashes per second in fresh hashpower, a scale capable of meaningfully shifting the mining landscape.

The timing was no accident. Trump’s administration recently escalated tariffs on Chinese imports, specifically targeting technology and crypto mining hardware in an effort to “reshore” critical supply chains. However, the advance purchase locked in hardware prices before duties could be enforced, sidestepping immediate tariff hikes. Bitmain simultaneously revealed plans to open its first ASIC manufacturing facility in the U.S., signaling a fundamental restructuring of the hardware supply chain under geopolitical pressure.

This development set off a storm of speculation. Proponents of Trump’s protectionist strategy heralded the move as a win for American jobs, strategic autonomy, and infrastructure sovereignty. Yet critics highlighted significant risks: higher hardware costs could render U.S. miners uncompetitive, flooding global markets with surplus Chinese rigs and potentially weakening the very “reshoring” effort the administration pursues. Hashrate distribution, long dominated by Chinese manufacturers (Bitmain, MicroBT, and Canaan collectively control over 99% of market share), is now in flux, stoking uncertainties about energy security, regulatory risk, and national security vulnerabilities tied to imported hardware.

The hardware arms race drew heated reactions from trade groups and crypto policy observers. “This is more than just a supply chain story,” noted Jaran Mellerud of Hashlabs. “It’s about whether the U.S. can truly build a domestic mining powerhouse or will simply accelerate the exodus of hashpower to jurisdictionally friendlier countries.” Meanwhile, Bitmain’s stated plans for new U.S. headquarters—likely in Florida or Texas, states with heavy Trump influence—added a political undertone, raising questions about the intersection of crypto policy and campaign politics heading into 2026.

$1.3B ETH WHALE PURCHASE SPARKS MARKET FRENZY

Ethereum dominated headlines after an anonymous entity—dubbed a “whale”—scooped up an eye-popping $1.34 billion worth of Ether over just eight days. Blockchain analytics confirmed the purchase of 312,052 ETH across 10 newly created wallets, with flows originating from major institutional platforms FalconX, Galaxy Digital, and BitGo. The timing was pivotal: the acquisition outpaced even record Ethereum ETF inflows for the week, signaling powerful confidence among sophisticated buyers.

The whale’s aggressive buying spree was not an isolated event. Fundstrat, a Wall Street investment firm, reportedly purchased 317,000 ETH with plans for ongoing accumulation, and BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes also made headlines with a multimillion-dollar ETH purchase. Market watchers speculated whether this consolidation would fuel a new all-time high for Ethereum or precede a major retrace, particularly as upcoming U.S. inflation data posed fresh risks.

Analysts interpreted the whale activity as a signal of deepening institutional conviction in Ethereum’s long-term fundamentals, especially as on-chain indicators pointed to large net outflows from exchanges—often a precursor to supply-led rallies. The narrative was further buoyed by parallel surges in ETF inflows, with BlackRock alone reportedly amassing over $1 billion in ETH for its flagship fund.

Social media and trading channels erupted as news of the whale buy pushed ETH’s price above $4,600, driving feverish debate over the sustainability of the rally. Skeptics warned of potential liquidity shocks or large-scale profit-taking if the whale or affiliated entities began unloading into a thin market. On-chain analysts, however, read the moves as a bullish signal: “This kind of high-conviction accumulation usually marks the beginning, not the end, of a sustained run,” noted one. Price action, exchange outflows, and derivatives positioning will remain focal points in coming weeks as the market digests the full ramifications.

BAYC NFT SALES JUMP 499% IN MID-AUGUST RALLY

After a year of disappointments, the world’s most famous NFT collection, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), staged a spectacular comeback. Secondary sales volume for BAYC NFTs soared more than 499% in a matter of days, fueled by a confluence of blockbuster sales and a broader NFT market rebound. A single Bored Ape sold for over 1,000 ETH, marking one of the highest-dollar generative NFT sales in history and rekindling the “blue-chip NFT” narrative.

Ethereum-based NFTs, including CryptoPunks and Mutant Apes, followed suit, with totals across major blue-chip projects exceeding $275 million in July and maintaining momentum into August. Market capitalization for Ethereum NFTs climbed past $8 billion, up 21% in less than a month—indicative of renewed investor confidence.

Yet, the BAYC surge was controversial. Lawsuits, regulatory probes, and lingering fallout from the FTX scandal continued to cast a shadow over the collection. Ongoing class-action litigation against Sotheby’s, Yuga Labs, and celebrity endorsers (including Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Paris Hilton) spurred debate over allegedly misleading marketing and potential wash trading to boost prices artificially. Meanwhile, Yuga Labs’ decision to sell the BAYC intellectual property in June added another layer of uncertainty, leaving holders divided over the brand’s future.

A significant segment of the NFT community interpreted the spike as a “quality over quantity” regime shift: higher average sale prices, fewer transactions, and a preference for established collections over speculative new projects. Others viewed the move skeptically, recalling parallels to previous NFT manias and warning that real-world regulatory challenges and copyright disputes could reemerge at any moment. Regardless, the BAYC rebound put NFTs firmly back in the conversation as an alternative, volatile, and culture-driven asset class.

ETHEREUM ETF INFLOWS HIT EIGHT-DAY STREAK

A technical feat with major symbolic meaning, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a historic eight-day streak of net inflows, totaling nearly $3.7 billion. This period marked the second-strongest month ever for ETH ETFs, with single-day inflows exceeding $1 billion at their peak. BlackRock’s ETF captured $640 million in a single session, and cumulative ETF assets under management swelled to a record $29.2 billion.

This achievement is widely credited with helping to propel Ethereum’s price near its all-time high, as institutional demand overtook retail capitulation. Even amid a broader market sell-off on August 15—which saw $59 million in ETF outflows and more than $1 billion in crypto market liquidations— BlackRock notably acquired $1 billion in ETH, reinforcing the theme of institutional conviction.

Across trading desks and social platforms, analysts debated whether consistent ETF inflows could power ETH beyond its historical ceiling ($4,891) or if the rally was approaching exhaustion. Many observed that Ethereum’s sentiment on social media remained “fearful” even as price advanced, in stark contrast to Bitcoin’s “peak greed” readings—a classic contrarian indicator interpreted by some as bullish.

ETF flows, on-chain supply trends (with exchange balances hitting nine-year lows), and a rising ETH/BTC ratio led many to suggest that Ethereum was entering a new cycle of relative outperformance. A previously underappreciated aspect was the role of treasury adoption: publicly traded companies and DAOs began following a Bitcoin-style playbook, adding ETH to their reserves as a core diversification strategy. Volatility persisted, but the underlying structural shift in institutional demand emerged as one of the week’s defining narratives.

CZECH POLICE ARREST DARKNET OPERATOR IN BITCOIN-FOR-FAVORS SCANDAL

Europe’s most dramatic crypto scandal of the week unfolded in the Czech Republic, where police apprehended Tomas Jirikovsky—the notorious founder of the Sheep Marketplace darknet, now implicated in a $45 million Bitcoin bribery probe. The case centers on a 468 BTC donation to the Czech Ministry of Justice, allegedly arranged in exchange for leniency in sentencing and to smooth Jirikovsky’s release from prison. The donation, which ultimately cost Justice Minister Pavel Blazek his job earlier in 2025, is now the focal point of a deepening investigation into money laundering and abuse of power.

Details read like a political thriller: Jirikovsky, sentenced in 2017 for embezzlement and drug trafficking, was released on parole in 2021 with large amounts of Bitcoin never recovered by authorities. In March, prosecutors say, he transferred vast sums to public institutions via intricate blockchain transactions, just as a political crisis erupted over the Ministry’s acceptance of crypto funds from a convicted felon. Jirikovsky attempted to flee by climbing onto his roof as police arrived, but was detained after a standoff. Attention soon turned to the Nucleus darkweb marketplace, whose dormant wallet sent a $77.5 million Bitcoin transaction—the first movement in nine years. Forensic blockchain analysis claims to have tied the Bitcoin’s origin to Nucleus, deepening cross-investigation with U.S. Partners.

The fallout has been sweeping. The government barely survived a no-confidence vote; the scandal consumed the country’s news cycle, with public trust in the rule of law shaken and opposition parties calling for more resignations. The case reignited debate over crypto’s suitability for public sector transactions, the challenges of anti-money laundering compliance, and the risks posed by high-value, pseudonymous digital finance. Political analysts suggested the scandal could even upend upcoming Czech elections and have spillover effects on European crypto regulation—a rare real-world consequence with global significance for Bitcoin’s public sector legitimacy.

TAIWAN’S FIRST BITCOIN TREASURY COMPANY RAISES $10M

August also marked a watershed moment for Asian corporate crypto adoption as Top Win International, a Taiwanese luxury watchmaker turned digital asset pioneer, became the island’s first public Bitcoin treasury company. The firm completed a $10 million capital raise—led by fintech conglomerate WiseLink and joined by U.S. investors such as United Capital Management of Kansas—with the proceeds earmarked for direct BTC purchases and strategic investments in listed companies with similar treasury policies.

This move mirrors the iconic “MicroStrategy pivot,” where traditional corporations develop Bitcoin-centric treasury strategies to hedge inflation, diversify reserves, and signal technological innovation. In announcing the shift, Top Win—soon to rebrand as AsiaStrategy—noted plans for collaboration with Sora Ventures and additional capital deployment as regulations permit. WiseLink’s acquisition of three-year convertible notes offered financial flexibility, while Top Win’s stock price spiked nearly 13% in pre-market trading on the day of the announcement.

The company’s pivot is emblematic of changing attitudes across Asia, where Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a legitimate store of value and a buttress against global monetary uncertainty. Five other investors joined the raise, and Taiwanese authorities have signaled a willingness to license more blockchain and treasury-linked products, anticipating a wave of corporate crypto engagement. Top Win thus joined an exclusive group of nearly 170 public companies globally that report Bitcoin on their balance sheets, fueling discussion about Asia’s growing influence in setting digital asset standards.

The news was not without controversy. Critics wondered whether the move was just a branding stunt, noting that Top Win’s core business remains in luxury retail. Others flagged the risk of regulatory pushback or short-term volatility harming shareholders. Still, the deal was widely lauded for its strategic vision and for setting a template that other Taiwanese and East Asian corporations might soon emulate, raising the stakes for traditional finance incumbents in the region.

RIPPLE VS SEC NEARS AUGUST 15 DEADLINE

Few legal battles have captured as much crypto sector attention as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) five-year lawsuit against Ripple Labs over the regulatory status of XRP. The case, widely regarded as crypto’s “trial of the century,” reached a procedural crescendo on August 15 as both parties were required to update the court on their respective positions.

The root dispute—whether XRP is an unregistered security—had already produced a landmark 2023 ruling by Judge Analisa Torres, who determined that XRP did not constitute a security for retail sales but left institutional sales in a gray area. In July, Ripple signaled good faith by agreeing to a $125 million civil fine and dropping its own appeal, while the SEC’s approach remained unclear amid leadership transitions and internal debates.

With the August 15 deadline, the SEC had three options: withdraw its appeal (ending the case and freeing Ripple to expand operations in the U.S.), request an extension (delaying further resolution), or pursue ongoing litigation (risking yet more years of limbo). The update was not strictly a final resolution but carried enormous symbolic and practical weight, with investors, lawyers, and politicians watching for regulatory precedents.

A positive outcome—namely, regulatory clarity for XRP and the broader crypto market—was expected to set the tone for future asset classification, token sales, and DeFi fundraising standards. Major crypto asset managers, led by ProShares Ultra XRP ETF, lined up new products as Bloomberg analysts assigned a 95% probability to broader ETF approval by year’s end. July saw XRP price set a new all-time high above $3.40, only to retrace slightly amid the uncertainty.

Industry voices from legal experts to meme traders acknowledged that the ruling’s ultimate significance could extend far beyond XRP—potentially shaping U.S. policy on crypto securities for years to come. The week saw a mix of hope and skepticism, with investors weighing rapid price moves against possible disappointments if litigation drags on.

CARDANO ROCKETS 18,261% IN LIQUIDATION IMBALANCE

Altcoin volatility made headlines as Cardano (ADA) experienced what some analysts called a “vertical liquidation imbalance.” At its peak, the hourly liquidation ratio on long positions skyrocketed by an astonishing 18,261%, translating into over a million dollars in liquidated trades in 24 hours.

Technical analysts traced the phenomenon to a sharp drop below $0.80, triggering margin calls and forced selling on overleveraged accounts. Despite a relatively neutral RSI (near 58), ADA fell to $0.7888, erasing much of its early-August rally. Meanwhile, short liquidations also spiked, though gains were more muted as bulls failed to defend key support levels. The move was fueled in part by speculative fervor linking ADA to several new product rumors and ETF speculation involving Grayscale’s establishment of ADA-related Delaware trusts.

Market sentiment was split. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson attempted to put a positive spin on the volatility, forecasting that the current “glacier drop” would usher in a new wave of user adoption and organic growth. Other analysts feared the price might be headed for a classic pump-and-dump or at least a period of choppy, sideways action as liquidation heatmaps suggested a market heavily dependent on leverage.

Cardano’s futures and perpetuals markets underscored how easily sentiment, liquidity, and trading structure can swing outcomes for even large-cap altcoins. With traders losing millions in forced liquidations, risk management and stop loss discipline became mantras in trading communities. ADA closed the week aiming to reclaim the $0.90 level, with a breakout to $1.50 possible if bullish momentum returned, but further downside was expected if key support zones failed for long.

FBI WARNS CRYPTO INVESTORS: WATCH FOR ‘RED FLAGS’

On the regulatory and security front, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued its third public alert in as many years, warning cryptocurrency holders of the growing sophistication of recovery scams targeting victims of previous frauds. The updated advisory, released August 13, provided an expanded checklist of “red flags” associated with fake law firms, phony recovery services, and government agency impersonators.

A staggering number of crypto scam victims were being targeted for a “double loss”: first, losing funds to an initial hack or scam, then being approached by criminal actors posing as lawyers who offer to recover their coins for a fee—often demanding payment in crypto or gift cards. These fictitious legal outfits employ forged documents, purport government partnerships, and often use group chats or untraceable platforms to exact additional money under the guise of “bank fees” or identity verification costs.

The warning drew wide debate. Some consumer advocates stressed the need for broader education and vigilance, while blockchain security firms warned that the “zero trust” model the FBI now recommends might also make it harder for legitimate forensic services to help victims recover funds. Nonetheless, the magnitude of losses was eye-popping: between February 2023 and February 2024, further exploitation of scam victims by fake law firms topped $9.9 million in the U.S., with the IC3 fielding over 41,500 complaints involving nearly $6 billion lost to crypto fraud.

The FBI guidance urged users to request video verification, check licenses with state bar associations, and never respond to unsolicited offers of fund recovery. Law enforcement does not charge fees for investigation, and no legitimate law firm is designated as an official government partner. The chilling caution: “assume everything is a scam until proven otherwise,” underscored the tension between Web3’s trustless ethos and the very real social engineering risks endemic to a rapidly growing industry.

And with that, I’m clocking out for a quick Sunday reset — but before I disappear into the weekend haze, I need YOU to drop your take in the latest MNO TalkBack poll. Your voice drives the convo, and it’s how I lock in what to tackle next.

No stress — I’ll be back next Sunday with a fresh edition of the Weekly CryptoNews Digest. Expect wild revelations, sharp data drops, and profit-packed strategies you won’t catch anywhere else. I’m talking about the real keys to stacking and safeguarding your crypto stash like a seasoned vet.

Truth is, your grind and feedback are what make MNO the most dialed-in crypto community out there. I’m genuinely thankful for every one of you. Let’s keep chasing that digital bread, side by side. For Money Lovers, always.

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