Bitcoin
$ 109,761 and Ethereum 
$ 2,789 have picked up significant momentum at the beginning of this week. Bitcoin’s price pressed against the $110,000 threshold, defying the anticipated summer lull, with trading volume doubling over the weekend. Meanwhile, on the Ethereum side, institutional staking interest gained pace following the network’s recent upgrades. Analysts highlighted that in light of global macro uncertainties, the growing institutional interest might provide short-term price support for both Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Bitcoin’s Ascend toward $110K
QCP Capital reported that, despite stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data, Bitcoin initially struggled to find direction. However, over the weekend, it jumped 3.26% to reach $108,801. Technical indicators revealed that the $106,500 level turned into support, with the price testing $110,169. Experts are closely monitoring the potential volatility stemming from U.S.-China trade talks and a $22 billion bond auction. QCP Capital notes that such macro developments usually lead to brief price reactions, but a “strong narrative” is necessary for a sustained trend.
A New Era for Ethereum: Institutional Staking
According to Mara Schmiedt, CEO of Alluvial, Ethereum’s decentralization has markedly increased in the past two years, and its infrastructure is now ready for institutional use. Schmiedt emphasized the “underappreciated” impact of the Pectra upgrade, allowing withdrawal processes to be triggered from the Execution Layer, which offers operational ease to institutional players. Currently, the Liquid Collective protocol has $492 million in staked Ethereum, with the majority coming from institutional investors. Schmiedt argues that regulatory momentum and safe staking options will make Ethereum more prominent in portfolios.
Intensifying Competition: Company Stocks and EFTs
Data from NYDIG shows that stocks of Trump Media (DJT) and Semler Scientific (SMLR), which hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, remain discounted compared to their adjusted net asset values. Analyst Greg Cipolaro reminds that equity premium, cash, and enterprise value should be considered in valuations. Meanwhile, Circle shares have surged nearly four-fold since their public offering. Bitwise and ProShares are leading in Circle-linked ETF applications, aiming to provide investors with new instruments upon approval.
