SEC staff statement on liquid staking may pave way for staking in spot Ether ETFs

  • SEC staff said certain liquid staking activities do not constitute the sale of securities in a new clarification.
  • The statement clarifies that “Staking Receipt Tokens” do not need to be registered under securities laws.
  • SEC Chair Paul Atkins called the move a “significant step forward in clarifying the staff’s view” on crypto activities.

In a significant and widely welcomed move, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Corporation Finance has issued a statement clarifying its view that certain liquid staking activities associated with protocol staking do not constitute the sale of securities.

This clarification, released on August 5, provides a measure of long-sought regulatory clarity for a key and rapidly growing sector of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

The SEC Division’s statement specified that parties involved in the minting, offering, and redeeming of certain liquid staking tokens are not required to register with the federal regulator under the securities laws.

In essence, the offer and sale of these “Staking Receipt Tokens,” as the statement referred to them, are not considered securities offerings unless the underlying deposited crypto assets are themselves part of or subject to an investment contract.

This is a pivotal clarification for the crypto industry. In the world of crypto, staking is the process of locking up crypto assets, such as Ethereum (ETH), to help secure a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain network in exchange for rewards. Liquid staking is a popular variant of this process.

When users stake their crypto assets through a liquid staking protocol, they receive a tokenized version of their staked assets, such as sETH (staked ETH).

The key feature of these “liquid staking tokens” is that, unlike traditionally staked assets, they are not locked up; they remain liquid and can be traded, lent, or used in other decentralized finance (DeFi) applications while the original assets continue to earn staking rewards.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins framed the announcement as part of a broader commitment to providing clear guidance on emerging technologies.

“Under my leadership, the SEC is committed to providing clear guidance on the application of the federal securities laws to emerging technologies and financial activities,” Atkins stated.

Today’s staff statement on liquid staking is a significant step forward in clarifying the staff’s view about crypto asset activities that do not fall within the SEC’s jurisdiction.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, a long-time advocate for regulatory clarity in the crypto space, also welcomed the statement.

She explained that it clarifies that liquid staking activities in connection with protocol staking do not constitute the selling of securities.

“Instead, it is a variant on the longstanding practice of depositing goods with an agent who performs a ministerial function in exchange for a receipt that evidences ownership of the goods,” she added, providing a useful analogy to traditional commercial practices.

Industry leaders celebrate, eyes turn to Ethereum ETFs

The crypto industry’s reaction to the SEC’s clarification has been overwhelmingly positive. Alexander Grieve, VP of Government Affairs at the crypto investment firm Paradigm, celebrated the move.

Miles Jennings, Head of Policy & General Counsel at the prominent crypto-focused venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), went a step further, calling it a “huge win.”

This development is particularly timely and relevant for the issuers of spot Ether ETFs. These firms, such as Bitwise, have been actively trying to get the SEC’s approval to allow staking for their Ethereum ETFs, a feature that would enable the funds to generate additional yield for their investors.

The SEC’s new clarification on liquid staking is seen by many as a crucial step towards making that a reality.

Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth Management, expressed his optimism, suggesting this could be the final piece of the puzzle.

“Think last hurdle in order for SEC to approve staking in spot eth ETFs,” he said. Geraci further explained how liquid staking tokens could be a key part of the solution: “Liquid staking tokens will be used to help manage liquidity w/in spot eth ETFs, something that was a concern for SEC.”

By providing a liquid, tradable representation of the staked assets, these tokens could help ETF issuers manage the daily inflows and outflows of their funds more efficiently, addressing one of the SEC’s previous operational concerns.

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Large-cap alts: LTC gains 12%, XRP at key level, SOL lands double institutional buy

  • Litecoin leads today’s gainers with a 13% jump, renewing interest in large-cap alts.
  • XRP bulls should defend $3.0 to prevent significant dips.
  • Two firms have purchased Solana worth over $23 million.

Digital tokens recorded minor price actions on Tuesday as the global cryptocurrency market cap soared 0.15% the past day to $3.73 trillion.

Meanwhile, Litecoin led the gainers with an over 12% gain, sparking interest in large-cap and legacy altcoins.

Ripple’s XRP trades at a crucial juncture as bulls defend the support level at $3.0, while Solana sees institutional traction as two companies purchase SOL worth over $23 million.

Let us find out more!

Litecoin leads the gainers

LTC saw remarkable gains in the past day, surging over 12% from $113 to $128 intraday high.

It trades at $125, with an over 200% uptick in trading volume, signaling robust trader activity.

Short-term technical indicators are flipping bullish.

For instance, the 3H Moving Average Convergence Divergence has crossed above the signal line, with green histograms demonstrating a buyer resurgence.

Also, LTC trades well above the 50- and 100-Exponential Moving Averages on the 3-hour timeframe.

That indicates bullish presence, hinting at upside continuation.

However, the RSI of 71 on the daily chart suggests impending overbought conditions.

Thus, the altcoin could retrace from its current peaks before extending towards the $200 target.

Institutional interest from the likes of Mei Pharma, Litecoin ETF momentum, and predicted altseason positions LTC for impressive rallies in the coming weeks and months.

XRP is at a key support zone

Ripple’s native coin hovers at $3.03 after relatively muted price movements in the previous day.

XRP structure suggests short-term struggles as trading volume remains weak.

However, prevailing sentiments could reinforce the $3.0 foothold.

Emerging speculations suggest that the Ripple vs SEC battle might end soon.

Also, the remittance company has gained key recognition from the United States authorities.

Technical indicators support XRP’s bullish bias.

The alt consolidated with a descending wedge setup from December to January, while steadying above the 50-d EMA.

The pattern ended with an upside breakout that catalyzed an over 70% increase in January.

XRP is repeating that performance. The digital coin is consolidating inside a descending wedge following substantial price actions.

The pattern sets the stage for a potential surge to $3.75.

Analyst ChartMonkey trusts XRP could top $4 and rally to $6 in the upcoming sessions.

However, losing the $3 barrier would delay the projected gains, possibly fueling declines towards the support at $2.80 and $2.48.

Institutions pour $23M into Solana

While Litecoin and XRP dominated price charts, institutions loaded up on SOL.

Firstly, crypto infrastructure firm BIT Mining has unveiled its first Solana validator node.

It has bought 27,119 SOL, worth around $4.89 million, to supercharge its Solana treasury.

Commenting on the initiative, BIT Mining Chief Operating Officer Bo Yu said:

This validator launch is a foundational step in operationalizing our Solana strategy. We are not just holding SOL, we are helping power the network. It demonstrates our belief in Solana’s potential and our commitment to building meaningful infrastructure that supports its growth, security, and decentralization.

Secondly, DeFi Development Corp has expanded its Solana holdings with a latest purchase of 110,000 SOL tokens, worth approximately $18.4 million.

That brings its total investments to 1.29 million SOL, valued at over $215 million.

That’s a significant balance since DeFi Dev Corp started its purchase after launching its crypto treasury strategy in April this year, 2025.

SOL trades at $165 after losing 1% in the past 24 hours.

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How BPENGU is emerging as one of the best crypto to buy now?

  • $BPENGU combines Bitcoin’s strength with penguin meme appeal, raising over $2M in its presale.
  • 15-stage presale with built-in scarcity offers early investors up to 75% paper gains.
  • Favorable US regulations and a September 2 listing make BPENGU a standout altseason opportunity.

As altseason gains momentum and capital continues to rotate from blue-chip crypto into higher-upside plays, a new contender is making waves: Bitcoin Penguins ($BPENGU).

With its meme appeal and Bitcoin-inspired fundamentals, $BPENGU is quickly establishing itself as one of the best cryptos to buy now.

Bitcoin Penguins: from meme to model

Bitcoin Penguins is capitalizing on two dominant narratives: the continued strength of Bitcoin, now trading above $114K, and the lasting popularity of penguin-themed meme tokens like Pudgy Penguins.

$BPENGU draws direct inspiration from Pudgy Penguins. But where Pudgy is built on Ethereum, Bitcoin Penguins builds on Bitcoin’s back—framing itself as the harder, smarter evolution of the penguin meta.

But unlike its predecessors, $BPENGU isn’t just riding the viral wave—it’s anchoring its momentum to robust tokenomics and a detailed roadmap.

Meme coins are thriving again, and penguins are leading the charge. If PENGU was the proof of concept, $BPENGU is the sequel with higher stakes and a harder asset behind it.

PENGU has proven there’s real demand for penguin-themed tokens. But it also lacks one thing: Bitcoin. That’s where $BPENGU steps in.

While Pudgy Penguins gained traction with toys and NFTs, Bitcoin Penguins aims to build “on-chain,” leveraging the brand’s visual appeal alongside real market utility.

The roadmap sets a bold price target of $2 by November 2025, implying a potential 1000x return from the first presale stage.

Utility, scarcity, and Bitcoin-backed confidence

Unlike many meme coins that exist primarily on hype, Bitcoin Penguins is positioning itself as a hybrid asset—equal parts community and credibility.

Backed by a capped supply and a structure that incentivizes holding, the token is designed to avoid the rapid dilution and collapse that plagues many similar launches.

Its presale is structured in 15 stages, with each stage increasing in price by 5%. That means early supporters can lock in potential 75% paper gains before public trading even begins.

With a fixed 10 billion supply and 55% allocated to presale, scarcity is built in by design.

With its presale already raising $2.04 million, and a confirmed September 2 listing, $BPENGU is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched launches of the year.

New US crypto regulations could be a catalyst

The regulatory environment in the US is also turning more favorable, providing a backdrop of legitimacy that could benefit new entrants like Bitcoin Penguins.

On Monday, the CFTC announced it would allow trading of spot crypto asset contracts on registered futures exchanges—effectively greenlighting broader access to digital assets.

This move, part of the joint “Project Crypto” initiative with the SEC, was described by officials as a step toward treating crypto more like traditional financial instruments.

Analysts believe this could encourage broader institutional participation, thereby bringing liquidity and stability to the market.

Regulatory clarity is a key tailwind for projects like $BPENGU.

With clear tokenomics, a defined listing date, and a growing online presence, the project appears well-positioned to capitalize on the current altseason cycle.

As sentiment continues to build and the September listing approaches, Bitcoin Penguins stands out not just as a speculative play—but as a serious meme contender with macro momentum at its back.

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AAVE daily fees skyrocket 200%, signaling lending market recovery

  • Aave’s daily fees increased by around 200% within the last three months.
  • They hit multi-month peaks of over $3 million per day, indicating intensified borrowing.
  • The surge reflects reinvigorated DeFi lending interest.

Aave continues to dominate the DeFi lending market, this time attracting attention with serious figures.

CoinGecko data shows daily fees on the blockchain have increased by more than 200% since May.

That signals amplified on-chain activity and soaring demand for decentralised liquidity.

Most importantly, the statistics signal DeFi borrowing resurgences.

The chart shows AAVE’s 24-hour fees were below $1.2 million in early May.

It had surpassed 43 million as of the end of July, printing multi-month highs.

Revenue saw a modest gain (still below $500K) compared to collected fees, but the increase reflected enriched platform profitability.

Furthermore, the chart reflects significant dips and spikes in fee activity, which indicates healthy volatility.

Such fluctuations suggest an active lending market with healthy utilisation, and not instability.

Meanwhile, daily fees are the revenue engine for Aave.

The prevailing trend signals emerging resurgences for the protocol that saw flattened activity early in the year.

What’s driving Aave fees?

Borrowing demand is at the centre of the surging daily fees in the ecosystem.

Individuals pay interest whenever they borrow on Aave, and these payments account for the highest portion of the daily fees.

Fee income increases when more users take loans, possibly to chase price actions or leverage yield opportunities.

Also, the latest integrations have propelled fees.

For instance, users have deployed more than $60 million into yield-generating opportunities via MetaMask’s Aave-powered Stablecoin Earn feature.

Such streamlined plug-ins make it smooth for retailers to access lending markets, enriching demand for AAVE’s liquidity pools.

Moreover, the latest stable Ethereum price actions have encouraged users to (directly) interact with dApps again.

ETH has performed well over the past few sessions, even driving the “altcoin season” narrative.

Fees and protocol activity have surged as participants borrow assets, including stablecoins, from Aave.

AAVE price outlook

The native token reflected the increase in on-chain activity with notable gains.

It has gained approximately 60% since May 1 to press time levels of $263.

That makes it one of the top-performing DeFi assets this cycle – a notable feat, as meme coins, L2s, and centralized narratives dominate the trends.

Meanwhile, the rising fees will possibly boost revenue in the upcoming sessions.

That would bolster sentiments around Aave and its native coin.

Continued borrowing activities will likely help the protocol cement its status in the DeFi lending landscape, which would bolster AAVE’s utility and price gains.

Analyst CW predicts short-term recoveries for the altcoin.

He highlighted that AAVE’s nearest resistance zone is at $325, a nearly 25% increase from the market price.

Also, experts remain optimistic about AAVE’s performance.

For example, the BitMEX co-founder recently purchased significant amounts of the token via over-the-counter.

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Mantle price outlook as MNT gains momentum with 20% spike

  • Mantle is up 20% in 24 hours amid overall altcoin rcovery.
  • The MNT token reached highs of $0.91 on Tuesday and could break to $1 and eye the all-time high of $1.51.
  • Ecosystem growth buoys overall bullish momentum.

Mantle (MNT) price has surged more than 20% in the past 24 hours, jumping from lows of $0.72 to $0.91.

This uptick aligns with other altcoins’ bounces over the past day, with likes of Litecoin and Pump.fun among top gainers in the largest 100 coins by market cap.

Notable gains for Mantle have come amid a 280% surge in daily volume to $622 million, while its market cap has increased to $2.96 billion.

Mantle pumps 20% as altcoins bounce

As noted, Mantle’s price surge coincides with a pump in the broader altcoin market.

A lot of the upside momentum has come after last week’s sell-off, with an announcement from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission buoying investors.

MNT price has also benefited from a robust network, which boasts a significant increase in stablecoin market cap to $653 million.

The total value locked in DeFi on the protocol has also jumped to $233 million, largely helped in recent weeks by a surge in activity around its ecosystem.

Also worth noting is Mantle’s contribution of 101,867 ETH worth over $388 million to the Strategic ETH Reserve.

Institutional inflows through initiatives like the Mantle Index Four and innovative products such as mETH Protocol for liquid staking add further upside fuel. Lookonchain highlights these in the X post below.

Mantle’s strong market momentum has MNT trading towards the psychological $1 mark. The last time bulls hovered at or above this level was in February 2025.

Is Mantle price poised for a breakout to a new all-time high?

Mantle’s price trajectory has bulls eyeing fresh bids above $1, and analysts say a breakout above this level could catapult MNT past its all-time high of $1.51. The altcoin reached this milestone on April 8, 2024.

On the daily chart, technical indicators provide bullish signals. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 66 and upsloping to indicate potential upside continuation before hitting the overbought zone.

Mantle price chart by TradingView

Meanwhile, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator suggests a bullish crossover. Per the chart above, the MACD line is looking to cut above the signal line, highlighting a potential short-term bullish momentum.

Mantle is also trading near the upper Bollinger Band at $0.87 with price above the middle line and with likely support at the lower band of $0.68.

A decisive break above the upper resistance could signal a bullish flip, allowing buyers to extend gains past $1 to the $1.40 region.

A confirmation of an upbeat sentiment from other catalysts will help this bullish trend. The downside however could make $0.68 a key level to watch. Major support also lies near $0.55.

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