#CryptoMarket4T The cryptocurrency market has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing **$4 trillion in total market capitalization** as of July 18, 2025. This landmark reflects a transformative shift from a speculative niche to a cornerstone of global finance, driven by regulatory breakthroughs, institutional adoption, and surging asset prices. Below is a detailed analysis of the key drivers and implications:
### 🚀 1. **Market Performance Highlights**
- **Bitcoin** breached **$120,000** for the first time, with analysts at Bernstein forecasting a rise to **$200,000 by year-end** .
- **Ether (ETH)** surged **18% in one week** and **43.6% over two weeks**—its strongest performance since 2021—driven by record inflows into ETH ETFs. BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust attracted **$602 million in daily inflows**, surpassing Bitcoin ETFs for the first time .
- **Crypto equities** like Coinbase and Robinhood reached all-time highs, while mining firms (e.g., Bitmine Immersion) gained alongside ETH's rally .
### ⚖️ 2. **Regulatory Catalyst: The GENIUS Act**
President Trump signed the **GENIUS Act** into law on July 18, establishing the first U.S. regulatory framework for stablecoins. This legislation:
- Mandates 1:1 dollar backing for stablecoins and clarifies issuer requirements.
- Signals bipartisan support for crypto, with the House also advancing the broader **CLARITY Act** (focused on market structure) to the Senate .
- Experts like CoinFund's Chris Perkins call it a "foundational step in mainstreaming crypto" .
*Table: Key U.S. Regulatory Developments*
| **Bill** | **Status** | **Impact** |
|----------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| GENIUS Act | Signed into law (July 2025) | Regulates stablecoins, ensures dollar backing |
| CLARITY Act | Passed House, to Senate | Creates market structure rules for all crypto assets |
| CBDC Ban | Passed House | Prohibits U.S. central bank digital currency |
