• ETH and XRP lead a strong market rally as crypto surpasses a $4T cap amid U.S. reforms.

  • U.S. House passes key crypto bills, fueling institutional interest and market growth.

  • Retirement plan access to crypto may unlock trillions in fresh institutional capital.

  • The global cryptocurrency market reached a total valuation of $4 trillion, levels just behind Nvidia’s $4.2 trillion market cap. According to data from Coingecko, the total market cap reached a high of $4.03 trillion on July 18, 2025. Meanwhile, CoinMarketCap places the figure at around $3.8 trillion, while TradingView reports a higher estimate of around $3.9 trillion. This milestone reflects growing investor interest and institutional involvement in the crypto space. 

    The surge is primarily driven by significant gains in Ether (ETH) and XRP, both reacting to major legislative developments in the United States. ETH rose 8%, reaching $3,674, its highest value since January. 

    XRP saw a sharper increase of 20%, peaking at $3.64, marking a new high for 2025. These assets have led the broader market rally, outpacing Bitcoin’s moderate gains during the same period.

  • Legislative Developments Spur Market Optimism

    Investor sentiment has strengthened following the passage of three major cryptocurrency-related bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. These developments are seen as a move toward regulatory clarity in the digital asset industry. 

    Analysts suggest that these regulatory shifts could unlock trillions in capital through new channels of institutional access. The possibility of including digital assets in retirement portfolios is viewed as a significant opportunity for market expansion. Legislative clarity is also expected to reduce regulatory uncertainty, a long-standing barrier to institutional adoption. Market participants are responding positively, viewing the bills as a major step toward legitimizing crypto in traditional finance.

    The bills passed just ahead of the congressional August recess, adding urgency to market responses. The legislative momentum could continue as lawmakers return to finalize crypto policy frameworks. Institutions may accelerate their entry into the market, anticipating favorable regulatory conditions. These factors are contributing to broader gains across altcoins and leading digital assets.

    Institutional Interest and Market Trajectory

    Market analysts highlight a growing trend of institutional engagement in cryptocurrency investment. Firms are expanding their exposure to digital assets through exchange-traded funds and corporate treasury allocations. The inclusion of crypto in mainstream financial infrastructure appears to be accelerating. This trend is evident in increasing trading volumes and higher levels of market participation from asset managers.

    Nick Ruck, director at LVRG Research, stated that institutions are actively working to integrate crypto into their portfolios and operations. Nassar Al Achkar, chief strategy officer at CoinW, noted that traders have entered a “risk-on” mode amid favorable policy changes. These developments are enhancing market confidence and driving momentum across the sector. The combination of positive legislation and institutional adoption is setting the stage for further market expansion.

    As ETH and XRP lead gains, other major cryptocurrencies are also posting positive returns. Bitcoin (BTC) crossed the $120,000 mark again, despite only minor daily increases. However, ETH’s recent 40% two-week gain has outpaced Bitcoin’s performance, shifting investor focus. XRP’s surge also underscores the renewed interest in assets tied to real-world financial applications.

  • Market Outlook and Global Positioning

    If the $4 trillion market cap is confirmed across tracking platforms, it would represent a major milestone for the crypto sector. This level would position digital assets just below Nvidia, currently the most valuable publicly traded company globally. The symbolic value of surpassing the top publicly traded company could attract more investor attention and capital inflows. It would also solidify crypto’s place in global financial markets.

    Analysts will be monitoring volume and support levels to confirm a breakout. The passage of the U.S. crypto bill has a good chance of affecting both immediate prices and future adoption. With other jurisdictions achieving such regulatory clarity in the future, the global crypto markets can potentially continue to grow. The fact that there is a chance of the integration of the financial system to a wider extent further justifies the positive trend in the market.

    Further growth could be supported by ETF acceptances and use cases, and wider retail availability. Participants in the industry keep watch of macro indicators and economic updates. The next few weeks will serve as a better indication of where the current crypto bull run is headed.