Ethereum surge crowns Buterin a billionaire

August 11, 2025

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Ethereum’s $4,300 breakout crowns Vitalik Buterin billionaire again

Key points:

  • Ethereum surged nearly 20% in a week, pushing Vitalik Buterin’s on-chain net worth above $1 billion and flipping Mastercard, Palantir, and Costco in market cap rankings.

  • Whale accumulation, corporate treasury buys, ETF inflows, and regulatory clarity drove the rally, though high profitability levels may trigger sell pressure.

News - Ethereum’s rally above $4,300 has restored Vitalik Buterin’s billionaire status, with wallets linked to him holding $1.045 billion in mostly ETH, per Arkham Intelligence. The network’s $523 billion market cap has overtaken Mastercard and edged past Palantir, Costco, and Exxon Mobil.

Institutional and corporate buying is accelerating. A “mysterious” entity amassed nearly $1 billion in ETH last week via OTC desks like Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and BitGo. BitMine Immersion Technologies boosted its holdings to 1.15 million ETH (worth nearly $5 billion), part of a $13 billion corporate Ether treasury total led by BitMine, SharpLink Gaming, and The Ether Machine.

Analysts credit U.S. regulatory clarity on liquid staking, strong ETF inflows, and macro tailwinds such as expected rate cuts. ETH’s leadership in the latest market move has even pulled Bitcoin higher, reversing the usual pattern where BTC leads. On-chain activity is also surging, with daily transaction volumes hitting records.

Profit-taking and rotation risks - Sentora data shows 97% of ETH addresses are in profit, with daily realized gains topping $553 million. Short-term holders now dominate selling, raising the risk of volatility. Bitcoin maximalist Samson Mow predicts ETH gains will rotate back into BTC, though others see an altcoin rally before any shift.

Altcoin season watch - Analysts point to strong open interest in Solana, XRP, Dogecoin, and Ethereum-linked tokens as signs of capital rotation. Historical patterns suggest ETH’s momentum could fuel broader altcoin gains if macro conditions remain stable.

Bitcoin edges toward all-time high amid market crash warnings and institutional buying

Key points:

  • Bitcoin surged to $122,000 ahead of U.S. inflation data, but CME futures gaps and historical crash signals are fueling caution.

  • Institutional buying, Trump’s 401(k) directive, and corporate treasury accumulation continue to support BTC despite macro uncertainties.

News - Bitcoin’s rally to $122,312 has put it within striking distance of its July record high of $122,838, driven by spot demand, leveraged long bets, and optimism over a September Fed rate cut. The move follows $578 million in weekly crypto inflows, boosted by President Trump’s order allowing crypto in 401(k) plans. Bitcoin investment products drew $265 million, narrowing Ethereum’s recent inflow lead.

Institutional activity remains strong. Michael Saylor’s Strategy added 155 BTC worth $18 million last week, bringing its holdings to 628,946 BTC. Corporate treasuries now hold nearly 792,000 BTC worth $95 billion, prompting analysts like Willy Woo to warn of a “nationalization path” similar to gold in 1971.

Crash signals vs. bullish momentum - Market watchers are eyeing a $117,000 CME futures gap that could invite a short-term pullback. Historic patterns in the U.S. 3-month Treasury yield also resemble pre-crash levels from 2002, 2008, and 2020, adding to caution. Still, derivatives data shows rising open interest and strong spot buying, suggesting the rally is not overly reliant on leverage.

Four-year cycle debate - The surge has reignited debate over whether Bitcoin’s halving-linked four-year cycle still applies. Some experts argue institutional flows and macro drivers are now the primary forces, while others insist the cycle remains intact.

With CPI data due Tuesday, a softer reading could push BTC into price discovery above $123,000, while a surprise uptick risks triggering a sharp reversal. For now, whales appear reluctant to sell, keeping sentiment cautiously bullish.

Trump-backed WLFI token becomes ALT5 Sigma’s $1.5B corporate treasury bet

Key points:

  • Nasdaq-listed ALT5 Sigma will raise $1.5 billion to acquire 7.5% of the total supply of Trump-backed World Liberty Financial (WLFI) tokens for its corporate treasury.

  • The deal brings WLFI executives, including Eric Trump, into ALT5 leadership as the firm pivots toward a DeFi-focused treasury strategy.

News - ALT5 Sigma Corp. is moving to make the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial token a cornerstone of its balance sheet. In a $1.5 billion plan, the Nasdaq-listed firm will sell 200 million shares, half in a direct cash offering, half in a private placement paid in WLFI tokens, leaving it with 7.5% of the token’s total supply.

Proceeds from the $750 million cash sale will fund crypto treasury operations, buy additional WLFI tokens, repay debt, settle litigation, and support expansion. The WLFI token contribution, valued at $750 million, will make ALT5 the first public company to hold WLFI as a reserve asset.

The deal also cements ties between the two entities. World Liberty CEO Zach Witkoff will become ALT5’s chairman, Eric Trump will join as a director, co-founder Zak Folkman will serve as a board observer, and Matt Morgan will take over as chief investment officer.

Crypto treasury expansion trend - The move echoes the “corporate proxy” model popularized by Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy at MicroStrategy, now Strategy. Companies are increasingly launching treasuries for non-Bitcoin assets, including Ethereum, Solana, and Toncoin. WLFI’s addition to ALT5’s reserves signals growing interest in altcoin-backed corporate balance sheets.

Token access and market outlook - WLFI tokens are not yet tradable, but early investor holdings are set to unlock following a community vote, with future release schedules pending further approval. Meanwhile, WLFI has been building its own treasury, acquiring millions in Bitcoin and Ethereum in recent months.

BNB tests $800 amid record treasury buy and $1,200 price targets

Key points:

  • BNB swung between $793 and $827 in 24 hours as CEA Industries’ BNB Network Company became the largest corporate holder with a $160M purchase.

  • Analysts see potential for a rally toward $1,200, though short-term volatility and profit-taking remain risks.

News - BNB’s volatile 24-hour trading saw a 4% swing, climbing to $827 before retreating to just above $800. The rally came with over 146,000 tokens traded in a single hour, pushing market capitalization close to $112 billion and cementing BNB’s position as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency.

The surge followed CEA Industries’ BNB Network Company (BNC) spending $160 million to acquire 200,000 BNB, making it the largest corporate holder of the token. The buy is part of a $500 million treasury strategy, potentially expanding to $1.25 billion through warrant exercises. Backed by 10X Capital and YZi Labs, the plan centers exclusively on BNB, with leadership appointments including Galaxy Digital co-founder David Namdar as CEO.

Institutional demand and market impact - BNB’s dominance in the exchange token segment has reached 81% of the market cap, overtaking brands like Nike and MicroStrategy. Institutional interest is rising, with other firms such as Windtree Therapeutics pursuing large BNB reserves. Analysts point to similarities between BNB’s current price structure and Bitcoin’s past patterns, forecasting a potential move toward $1,200 if momentum holds.

Mixed reactions to corporate control - Some view the acquisition as a pivotal moment elevating BNB to a “treasury-grade” asset. Others warn it signals top-down consolidation, with corporate entities exerting more control over crypto. For now, traders are watching short-term resistance near $800.50, with a breakout potentially retesting $827 and opening the path higher, while support sits near $794.

Did you know?

  • Did you know the EU fully implemented its landmark MiCA regulation on crypto as of December 30, 2024, establishing the first comprehensive rulebook for digital assets in the European Union?

  • Did you know that 28% of American adults, about 65 million people, now own cryptocurrency as of early 2025, and nearly half of those who don’t yet own crypto plan to buy in this year?

  • Did you know Satoshi Nakamoto’s untouched Bitcoin wallet, last active in 2010, now contains approximately 1.1 million BTC, worth around $135 billion at mid‑July 2025 prices?

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Top 3 coins of the day

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Key points:

  • At press time, BCH was valued at $582, marking a 2.12% rise over the last 24 hours and outperforming the broader crypto market.

  • The MA Ribbon stayed stacked in bullish alignment, while the DMI showed the +DI above the -DI, indicating buyers retained an edge.

What you should know:

BCH maintained its climb after a breakout from a multi-year consolidation pattern, with prices holding above the 50-day SMA ($560) and approaching resistance near $590. A recent 20% jump in daily trading volume signaled renewed trader interest, partly fueled by broader altcoin market strength as the total crypto market cap hit fresh highs. Sentiment may also be shaped by the upcoming September 1 cutoff for USDT support on the Bitcoin Cash network, prompting positioning from both speculators and longer-term holders. A decisive close above $590 could open the path toward the $607 resistance zone, while failure to hold $572 might see a retreat to the $509 support area.

Key points:

  • At press time, LTC was trading at $125, reflecting a 1.20% rise from its previous daily close.

  • The price hovered near the upper Bollinger Band, while the Squeeze Momentum histogram stayed green, indicating bullish pressure.

What you should know:

Litecoin’s price climbed further after breaking above the $124 mark, with the upper Bollinger Band at $127 now acting as the next resistance zone to watch. The Squeeze Momentum Indicator showed strengthening positive momentum, while trading volumes remained healthy. A notable catalyst came from MEI Pharma’s decision to allocate $100 million of its corporate treasury into LTC, marking the first major public company to adopt Litecoin as a reserve asset. This move fueled institutional optimism and tightened available supply, supporting recent gains. Traders should monitor whether LTC can hold above $124 and push toward the $128–$130 range in the coming sessions.

XRP (XRP)

Key points:

  • At press time, XRP was trading at $3.19, marking a 0.32% increase from the past day’s close.

  • The price remained above the 50-day MA in the ribbon, while the RSI held at 56.28, reflecting balanced momentum with room for upside.

What you should know:

XRP’s modest daily gain followed its defense of the $3.16 support area, with the MA Ribbon showing short-term averages holding above the longer-term trend lines. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stayed in neutral territory, leaving space for further moves. A key driver came from the SEC’s recent decision to grant Ripple a Regulation D exemption waiver, easing restrictions on private offerings and signaling a more cooperative regulatory environment. This development reinforced institutional confidence and aligned with steady whale accumulation. Traders are now watching if XRP can reclaim the $3.34 resistance zone, which could open the path toward $3.42 and higher.

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