BTC holds $106K; analysts point to institutional integration, on-chain innovation

  • Bitcoin (BTC) regained its footing, trading around $106K after a tense weekend involving a US strike on Iran.
  • Bitcoin’s resilience is attributed to its growing integration into the broader macro-financial system via institutional infrastructure.
  • Bitcoin ETFs saw massive inflows ($1.1B last week, $350M one day), cited as a major bullish tailwind.

Bitcoin (BTC) has regained its footing, hovering around the $106,000 mark as the Asian trading week gets underway on Wednesday.

This resilient performance comes after a tense weekend that saw the US bomb an Iranian nuclear site, with Bitcoin now pushing past levels seen earlier this month when Israel first bombed Iran.

This stability, in the face of significant geopolitical turmoil, is increasingly being attributed to a fundamental shift in Bitcoin’s market structure and a renewed wave of innovation flocking to its blockchain.

Part of the reason why the crypto market has recovered so swiftly alongside traditional markets is the growing correlation between the two.

The days of Bitcoin operating in a vacuum appear to be over. “Bitcoin’s sensitivity to traditional asset classes and macroeconomic indicators has evolved markedly over the past few market cycles, reflecting its growing integration into the broader macro-financial system,” reads a recent report from Glassnode and Avenir Group.

This integration has been facilitated by the development of a robust institutional infrastructure. “Institutional infrastructure has reshaped how capital engages with bitcoin,” the report continues.

As a result, its market behavior is increasingly governed by structural liquidity, long-horizon positioning, and regulated access points.

This institutional backbone was clearly visible again this week. Semir Gabeljic, director of capital formation and investment strategy at Pythagoras Investments, highlighted the significant impact of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), citing them as a major tailwind.

“The huge recent capital inflows in Bitcoin ETFs of $1.1 billion last week and even $350 million today alone” are driving the positive trend, Gabeljic noted.

Spencer Yang, a Core Contributor to Fractal Bitcoin, added another perspective on Bitcoin’s ability to shake off the war jitters so quickly.

He argued that, fundamentally, nothing has changed about the asset class itself as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

The core metrics that long-term investors look to for Bitcoin remain intact. Furthermore, other bullish on-chain signals are potentially on the way.

“We’re seeing continued interest in protocols like BRC-20, especially with the recent upgrade, as well as Runes and Alkanes, which have been getting a lot of attention,” Yang added.

So overall, on‑chain activity across the board is increasing thanks to these types of assets.

The key takeaway seems to be that as Bitcoin’s market becomes increasingly defined by institutional demand and macroeconomic liquidity cycles, its price action is becoming less about knee-jerk reactions to headlines and more about long-term capital commitment.

It is this structural shift that appears to be anchoring Bitcoin firmly above the $100,000 level, despite the surrounding noise.

Tim Draper’s thesis

Adding to this long-term bullish outlook, legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper has argued that the Bitcoin blockchain is becoming the new epicenter for crypto innovation.

In a recent post on the social media platform X, Draper drew a compelling parallel, suggesting that Bitcoin is now absorbing ideas once exclusive to altcoins, much in the same way that Microsoft once consolidated the software revolution under its dominant operating system empire.

Draper pointed to Bitcoin’s rising dominance – a metric equivalent to its “market share” in the crypto world – as evidence.

This figure has risen to over 60%, up from 40% after the 2017 boom-bust cycle and 50% following the 2021 peak, signaling that Bitcoin is reasserting its control over the broader crypto ecosystem.

Much like how Microsoft integrated or cloned early software success stories like Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, and PowerPoint to create its powerful software suite, Draper says Bitcoin is now systematically incorporating innovations that were once the exclusive domain of altcoins.

These include functionalities like smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), ordinals (a form of on-chain digital artifacts), and low-cost layer 2 scaling solutions.

“All the successful innovations on other platforms are now being ported to Bitcoin,” Draper wrote, describing it as an “acceleration” that mirrors the consolidation phases seen in Big Tech.

He argued that developers are increasingly gravitating toward Bitcoin because it is the most secure and valuable blockchain.

Draper, who runs a Bitcoin-focused accelerator with Boost VC, stated that the next generation of entrepreneurs is building on Bitcoin not just for ideological reasons, but because the infrastructure and surrounding ecosystem are now mature and ready for this new wave of development.

“Smart entrepreneurs are always building on the platform with the strongest gravitational pull,” he wrote.

“That platform is Bitcoin.”

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SUI price sees 15% gain, but are bulls out of the woods yet?

  • SUI price surged 15% to $2.91, rebounding from a weekly low of $2.29.
  • Gains align with a broader crypto market recovery driven by improved investor sentiment and easing geopolitical tensions.
  • SUI could break above $3 and potentially eye a new peak, or dip to support near $2.

The SUI token, native to the Sui layer-1 blockchain, has soared by more than 15% in the past 24 hours, with gains to highs of $2.91 coming amid a lift in crypto market sentiment.

Notably, Sui’s uptick halts a month-long decline that pushed the token from highs of $3.80 to its lowest levels since April. But as the broader market sentiment improves, SUI’s rebound has investors in an optimistic mood as bulls target further gains.

However, with key resistance levels looming, the question remains whether this surge signals a lasting bullish trend or a bull trap.

Sui price jumps 15% amid crypto bounce

After enduring weeks of downward pressure, SUI has rebounded sharply, trading to an intraday high of $2.91 on Tuesday. At the time of writing, the altcoin’s price was at $2.79.

The double-digit gains align with the uptick in prices for the broader cryptocurrency market, with easing geopolitical tensions and Fed chair Jerome Powell’s remarks adding to investor confidence.

Sui price also gained as OKX Wallet teamed up with Navi Protocol and Momentum to “bring BTCfi to life” on Sui. The community can take part for a chance to grab a share of $2.5 million in rewards.

The SUI token thus gained as major assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and leading altcoins posted upward moves.

However, SUI’s double-digit surge stands out as it reflects a bullish impulse amid what appears as a bearish set still. The token remains 20% down over the past month and is well off its all-time peak of $5.35.

Sui price prediction: Are bulls ready to run?

The technical picture shows SUI’s price action in a descending channel on the daily chart. Sui also signals a broader descending triangle pattern. This suggests sellers may yet have a say despite the spike from weekly lows of $2.29.

A look at the charts shows the RSI bouncing off the oversold level, which means room for growth. The MACD indicator also signals a potential bullish crossover, highlighting gains as critical for bulls if they want to take the upper hand.

In this case, the key hurdles will be around $3.50 and $4.13. Take these out, and bulls could run to the ATH and higher.

Sui price chart by TradingView

Conversely, failure to maintain momentum could see SUI retreat to the $2.43 support, where a recent local low formed. If bears breach this level, it might be a bloodbath to the psychological $2 or lower.

SUI’s 15% surge reflects a broader market recovery and renewed interest in the SUI ecosystem.

Yet, with critical resistance levels ahead and the threat of bearish pressure lingering, the token’s trajectory remains uncertain.

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Hardware wallet maker Ledger unveils a physical recovery key

  • Ledger has launched an offline Recovery Key for Flex and Stax wallets.
  • The recovery key requires no cloud, ID, or internet to recover wallet access.
  • Recovery Key complements 24-word phrases and Ledger Recover rather than replacing them.

Ledger, a renowned manufacturer of cryptocurrency hardware wallets, has officially unveiled a new offline physical backup solution known as the Ledger Recovery Key.

The innovative physical key is designed specifically for Ledger’s newer devices, Ledger Flex and Ledger Stax, ushering in a new chapter of self-custody that emphasizes user control, simplicity, and security.

The release of the Recovery Key comes on the heels of Ledger surpassing 7.5 million devices sold globally, propelled in part by the launch of Flex and Stax earlier in 2024.

With the growing importance of secure asset recovery in crypto, Ledger is responding to rising demand by offering more flexible, offline options for users who prefer to avoid cloud-based solutions.

A physical spare key for Ledger wallets

The Ledger Recovery Key serves as a physical backup that enables users to restore access to their wallets simply by tapping a smart card and entering a PIN.

This new tool does not replace the traditional 24-word seed phrase but works as a complementary solution that can exist alongside it or even alongside the company’s existing cloud-based service, Ledger Recover.

Critically, the Recovery Key remains entirely offline at all times, using secure NFC (Near Field Communication) channels to connect directly with compatible devices like Ledger Flex and Stax.

The key uses the same Secure Element technology found in Ledger’s wallets, ensuring that the recovery experience meets the same high standards for cryptographic security.

No cloud, no ID, no middleman

Unlike Ledger Recover, which relies on encrypted cloud storage and identity verification, the new Recovery Key avoids the need for any personal data or third-party involvement.

Users do not need to submit identification or rely on internet access to regain control of their wallets, making this solution especially appealing to privacy-conscious crypto holders.

Because the Recovery Key operates entirely offline, it greatly reduces potential exposure to data breaches or cyberattacks that could arise from centralised storage.

The smart card stores what Ledger calls the “master secret”—the cryptographic core from which the user’s Secret Recovery Phrase is derived.

Ledger has emphasized that the creation of a Recovery Key is entirely optional and must be authorized directly by the user on their Ledger device.

There is no limit to how many spare keys a user can create, allowing for customized backup strategies that suit different needs and risk profiles.

This flexibility reinforces Ledger’s mission to provide users with choices that balance security, privacy, and convenience in equal measure.

In addition, to bolster community trust, Ledger has published a whitepaper and made the Recovery Key’s application code openly available on GitHub.

According to the company, the device has undergone thorough internal testing by Donjon, Ledger’s in-house team of white hat hackers, as well as external audits by independent cybersecurity experts, including Synacktiv.

So far, Ledger claims the feedback from researchers and industry professionals has been overwhelmingly positive, setting high expectations for its public release.

The physical recovery key complements Ledger Recover

While Ledger Recover sparked controversy in 2023 due to its reliance on identity verification and cloud infrastructure, Ledger reports that its adoption has grown steadily, especially among newer users seeking a fallback option.

Now, with the introduction of the Recovery Key, Ledger aims to serve a broader range of users—those who value privacy and those who need managed recovery alike.

By offering both a physical key and a managed service, Ledger allows users to mix and match backup methods depending on their level of comfort, technical expertise, and security needs.

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Chainlink price jumps 11% amid major Mastercard partnership

  • Chainlink and Mastercard are collaborating to enable over 3 billion cardholders to buy crypto onchain
  • LINK rose 11% amid the Mastercard partnership and broader crypto optimism
  • Chainlink’s growth in the tokenised assets market continues.

Chainlink’s native token, LINK, soared 11% today, buoyed by a groundbreaking partnership with Mastercard.

While gains mirrored broader crypto market upside, the news that Chainlink and Mastercard are looking to bring direct crypto purchases to over 3 billion cardholders added to the upbeat sentiment around LINK.

Chainlink and Mastercard partner

As with many other similar collaborations, this one between Chainlink and Mastercard marks a significant step toward mainstream adoption of decentralised finance (DeFi).

The two companies said in a press release that their integration looks to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology. Chainlink’s infrastructure will play a pivotal role in this transformative integration.

Other than leveraging Chainlink’s interoperability protocol and data standards, the partnership will also tap into key platforms and protocols, including zerohash, Shift4 Payments, and XSwap.

“There’s no doubt about it – people want to be able to easily connect to the digital assets ecosystem, and vice versa. That’s why we continue to leverage our proven expertise and global payments network to bridge the gap between onchain commerce and offchain transactions,” said Raj Dhamodharan, executive vice president, Blockchain & Digital Assets at Mastercard. “In coming together with Chainlink, we’re unlocking a secure and innovative way to revolutionise onchain commerce and drive the broader adoption of crypto assets.”

LINK price gains

As noted, Chainlink’s price experienced a robust 11% surge in 24 hours, climbing from a low of $11.48. This aligned with crypto’s bounce on Israel-Iran ceasefire news and also reflected strong market enthusiasm for the Mastercard partnership.

As of writing, LINK was trading at $13.07, with bulls looking to break towards $20.

The partnership’s announcement and broader market tailwinds, including the recently passed GENIUS Act, could catalyse gains.

Indeed, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov recently noted that the US stablecoin law could boost LINK adoption by supporting stablecoin innovation.

“This is the type of traditional finance and decentralised finance convergence that Chainlink was built to make possible,” Nazarov noted. “I’m excited about Chainlink’s ability to enable this critical connection between the traditional payments world and the over three billion cardholders in the Mastercard user base, directly into the next generation trading environments of onchain decentralised exchanges.”

Solutions like Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and proof-of-reserve technology are seen as critical for tokenised assets, and could potentially drive LINK price higher.

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