The crypto market saw an exciting and tumultuous week, marked by historic price milestones, legal drama, and breakthroughs in AI-driven trading. Here's a full breakdown of the top stories and trends that shaped the week in crypto:
Bitcoin Surges Past $100,000
After months of steady growth, Bitcoin ($BTC ) finally shattered the six-figure barrier, trading as high as $104,000 before settling around $103,000 by the weekend. This rally was fueled by continued institutional interest, declining inflation fears in the U.S., and increased demand from global markets.
Ethereum ($ETH ) also followed suit, reaching $2,400, while other altcoins like Solana ($SOL ), $XRP, and Cardano ($ADA) posted double-digit gains.
Bitcoin ETFs See Record Inflows
Another major driver of bullish sentiment was the historic performance of Bitcoin ETFs, which surpassed $40 billion in total lifetime inflows. Analysts view this as a major milestone for mainstream adoption, suggesting growing trust among institutional investors.
Celsius CEO Sentenced to 12 Years
In a major legal development, Alex Mashinsky, the former CEO of Celsius Network, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for securities fraud. The verdict marks one of the most high-profile convictions in the ongoing cleanup of crypto-related financial crimes and sent a message about accountability in the space.
BlackRock Highlights Quantum Computing Risk
Investment giant BlackRock added new language to its ETF disclosures, warning of potential future risks from quantum computing. While largely theoretical today, the risk underscores the importance of cryptographic resilience in digital assets like Bitcoin.
TrumpCoin Sparks Controversy
Former President Donald Trump announced TrumpCoin and a new stablecoin called USD1, stirring political and ethical debates. Critics argue the project may blur lines between political influence and private profit, while supporters see it as a bold step into digital finance.
Grok AI Enters Crypto Trading Scene
A new AI-powered agent, Grok AI, was launched this week, aiming to change the way retail investors trade crypto. The tool claims to offer real-time sentiment analysis, predictive modeling, and smart portfolio management, bringing AI closer to the heart of crypto investing.
Looking Ahead
With momentum building and institutional interest rising, the coming weeks could bring further gains—though caution remains high amid geopolitical tensions and regulatory uncertainties. Traders and investors are advised to keep an eye on global macro trends and upcoming Fed statements that may influence crypto sentiment.