Norway’s $1.6 trillion wealth fund boosts indirect Bitcoin exposure by 192% in Q2 2025

  • NBIM now holds the equivalent of 7,161 BTC through listed equities.
  • Institutional interest in Bitcoin grows through ETFs and corporate holdings.
  • The move may signal early stages of sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, has taken a significant step into the cryptocurrency market, increasing its Bitcoin (BTC) exposure by 192% during the second quarter of 2025.

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which manages the country’s $1.6 trillion oil-funded portfolio, expanded its holdings from the equivalent of 2,446 BTC from the June quarter in 2024 to 7,161 BTC.

The move underscores a broader shift among institutional investors who are using publicly listed equities and ETFs to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without holding digital assets directly.

Bitcoin exposure rises through equities and ETFs

NBIM’s largest Bitcoin exposure comes via its stake in MicroStrategy (MSTR), the biggest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency. The fund also initiated a smaller position equivalent to 200 BTC in Japan-based Metaplanet.

These holdings are reflected in the fund’s Q2 2025 13F filings, which track institutional investments in US-listed companies.

The data, compiled by analysts, highlights NBIM’s increased allocation to Bitcoin-linked equities during a period of growing global interest in the asset class.

Sovereign wealth funds are typically known for their conservative, long-term investment strategies, making this level of exposure notable.

Institutional participation strengthens

The move by NBIM comes amid rising institutional adoption of Bitcoin, driven in part by strong inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and increased corporate interest.

These products have made it easier for large investors to gain exposure without managing the complexities of digital asset custody.

Industry analysts note that sovereign wealth funds and large pension managers are beginning to explore Bitcoin as part of diversified long-term portfolios.

While NBIM has not publicly commented on its decision, the timing aligns with Bitcoin’s steady price gains over the past quarter, supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions and increased demand.

Strategic hedge potential

For NBIM, the Bitcoin allocation remains a small portion of its total assets, but it may serve as a hedge against currency debasement and geopolitical risks.

Such positioning reflects a growing recognition among large investors that Bitcoin could play a role in risk-adjusted portfolio diversification.

The increase also follows a global trend where state-backed investment vehicles cautiously test exposure to emerging asset classes, particularly those viewed as potential stores of value.

If this allocation pattern continues, the participation of sovereign funds could have a meaningful impact on Bitcoin’s market liquidity and institutional legitimacy.

Broader implications for sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption

The developments at NBIM may signal the early stages of more widespread sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption.

Although the current exposure is small relative to the size of the fund, the scale of sovereign wealth fund capital means even incremental moves can influence market dynamics.

As other funds monitor NBIM’s strategy, institutional activity in Bitcoin-linked assets could increase further.

For the cryptocurrency market, these flows represent a structural change in the investor base, moving beyond retail speculation to long-term, strategic capital from the world’s largest pools of wealth.

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XRP price down 3.95% in 24 hours as market liquidations exceed $1 billion

  • Single-hour volume hits 436.98M units, one of Q3’s highest.
  • Support holds at $3.05–$3.09 amid heavy selling.
  • Resistance at $3.13 and $3.20 eyed for short-term reversal.

XRP’s price fell in the last 24 hours, sliding from $3.34 to $3.10, as cryptocurrency markets faced over $1 billion in liquidations.

The token is currently trading at $3.10, down 3.95% in the same period, after touching $3.05 — its lowest level in more than a week — before stabilising.

XRP price
Source: CoinMarketCap

Heavy midday trading saw one of the largest single-hour volumes this quarter, with institutional support emerging near the lower price range.

Despite the pressure, late-session buying helped the token edge back above short-term resistance, indicating potential early accumulation from large holders.

Traders are closely monitoring whether this shift marks the start of a broader recovery or simply a pause before further declines.

Market-wide liquidations trigger steep drop

The decline was part of a broader market correction that coincided with profit-taking in US equities, shifting investor sentiment. Market-wide liquidations surpassed $1 billion, with XRP facing a midday capitulation event.

At 12:00, prices fell from $3.22 to $3.09 on heavy selling, contributing to a single-hour volume spike of 436.98 million units. This was among the largest trading bursts for the token this quarter, reflecting a high level of speculative positioning being unwound in rapid succession.

Ripple’s chief technology officer reiterated the XRP Ledger’s readiness for integration into global financial infrastructure during the downturn, offering a layer of fundamental confidence despite short-term volatility.

Price action and volatility levels

Over the 24-hour period from 03:00 on 14 August to 02:00 on 15 August, XRP saw a trading range spanning $3.34 to $3.05, representing an 8.69% volatility swing.

After the midday drop, the price traded in a narrow $3.05–$3.13 band, signalling reduced sell-side momentum. In the final 60 minutes of trading, two notable volume surges of 4.53 million and 3.76 million units emerged, suggesting renewed institutional interest at support.

Such inflows into spot markets after a sharp drop often point to strategic positioning by larger investors seeking to capitalise on discounted price levels.

Key technical levels to watch

Support has been confirmed between $3.05 and $3.09, tested repeatedly during periods of intense selling. Immediate resistance now sits at $3.13, with a secondary level at $3.20. Declining volumes after the midday spike point to liquidation exhaustion.

The recovery above $3.10 in low-liquidity conditions suggests early-stage re-accumulation could be underway, although follow-through buying above $3.13 will be needed to confirm a short-term reversal.

Factors traders are monitoring

Market participants are watching whether $3.05 will hold in the next wave of volatility, particularly if market-wide liquidations occur again.

Large-holder wallet activity is being tracked for signs of accumulation, and shifts in funding rates in XRP derivatives markets are under review for possible leveraged re-entry.

Correlation with equity markets remains important, with US Federal Reserve rate cut expectations continuing to influence risk sentiment.

As global markets remain sensitive to macroeconomic signals, cryptocurrency price action is expected to remain closely linked to investor appetite for risk assets.

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Ripple CTO highlights XRPL’s maturity and flexibility for next-generation of global finance

  • Ripple CTO says XRPL’s maturity, low fees, and flexibility make it ideal for future global finance.
  • XRPL offers a permissionless design with optional regulated features for broad financial use cases.
  • Proof-of-Authority consensus gives XRPL fast, predictable settlement for institutional-grade payments.

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), David Schwartz, has outlined how the XRP Ledger’s (XRPL) architecture and history position it as a competitive choice for powering future global financial systems.

His remarks come as more payments and stablecoin companies develop their own blockchains, reflecting a wider industry move to treat blockchain as core infrastructure rather than an experimental technology.

With financial institutions increasingly exploring blockchain for cross-border payments, asset tokenisation, and stablecoin issuance,

Schwartz’s emphasis on XRPL’s maturity highlights its potential role in meeting regulatory requirements and scaling operations for long-term, large-scale institutional-grade adoption worldwide.

XRPL’s maturity and role in financial infrastructure

According to Schwartz, Ripple adopted the vision of blockchain-based financial infrastructure over 13 years ago, using XRPL as the foundation. Over time, consistent updates and increasing institutional adoption have built a base of reliability, liquidity, and developer trust.

He noted that launching a blockchain is challenging, but building a sustainable ecosystem is significantly harder.

The XRPL’s long-standing presence, compared to newer blockchains, gives it a maturity advantage in supporting varied financial operations at scale, particularly in sectors where trust, compliance, and operational continuity are critical for long-term success.

Permissionless design with optional regulated features

A key distinction Schwartz made was between XRPL’s public, permissionless validator network and the permissioned models used by some other chains.

While permissioned systems can assist with compliance, their limited validator set can restrict global reach.

XRPL’s approach offers open participation for resilience and inclusivity, while still enabling optional permissioned features for regulated environments.

This flexibility, Schwartz said, allows XRPL to support a broad range of financial use cases.

Transaction fees remain low and predictable, paid in XRP, which also functions as a bridge asset for cross-border payments.

Importantly, XRPL does not require a separate gas token, reducing complexity for both developers and end-users.

Predictable settlement through Proof-of-Authority

Another differentiator highlighted was XRPL’s deterministic finality for transactions. Its Proof-of-Authority consensus model provides reliable settlement times, a feature that aligns with growing demand for predictable and compliance-friendly payment rails.

This makes XRPL a candidate for financial institutions seeking both speed and certainty in transaction processing, even in high-volume and cross-border scenarios.

Future developments to enhance institutional appeal

Schwartz expects the next phase of XRPL development to focus on improving programmability and liquidity. Compliance-grade capabilities are also on the roadmap, aimed at attracting more institutional participants.

As more blockchain developers enter the market, Schwartz sees this broader industry expansion as beneficial to the entire ecosystem and an opportunity for established platforms to demonstrate their advantages with sustained real-world adoption.

He concluded that XRPL’s combination of history, design, and adaptability positions it well for the next wave of blockchain-driven finance, with Ripple committed to refining the ledger for broader adoption.

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Best crypto to buy now: BPENGU presale excites traders as Bitcoin, Ethereum touch record highs

  • Bitcoin rises 3.6% to $123,500 on speculation of a Federal Reserve rate cut.
  • BPENGU presale enters final stages with tokens vanishing every 48 hours and price climbing 5%.
  • Less than 15 days remain to join BPENGU presale before September 2 launch.

Bitcoin climbed to new highs on Wednesday as investors bet the Federal Reserve might ease its policy soon. Both big investors and regular traders seemed encouraged, pushing the price upward.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin went up about 3.6%, hovering around $123,500 after briefly hitting $124,128, according to CoinGecko.

The analysts say hopes of a rate cut, easing inflation worries, and continued institutional buying helped fuel the rally, though short-term swings are still a possibility.

The odds of a rate cut in September are now over 90%. If it happens, borrowing would get cheaper and people would likely spend more.

That usually gives a lift to stocks and cryptocurrencies, since investors start looking for higher returns in riskier assets.

When interest rates fall, it can give a lift to not just Bitcoin but also meme coins and altcoins as investors, feeling more willing to take risks, often pour money into these smaller, more volatile coins, which can create a wave of buying and push prices higher.

And one presale which is quickly gaining traction amid bullish momentum is Bitcoin Penguins (BPENGU), which is crashing onto the crypto scene with the perfect mix of Bitcoin’s unstoppable credibility and the viral charm of the penguin meta.

With less than 15 days left in a fixed 30-day presale, prices climbing every 48 hours, and a confirmed September 2 launch, the clock is ticking fast.

Standard Chartered raises Ethereum target to $25,000

Standard Chartered is now expecting Ethereum to hit $25,000 by 2028, a big jump from what they thought before. They also raised their 2025 year-end target from $4,000 to $7,500.

The main reason? Institutions are piling in. Corporate treasuries and Ethereum ETFs are buying ETH almost twice as fast as Bitcoin.

On top of that, new regulations like the US GENIUS Act and upcoming network upgrades could make Ethereum more liquid and drive more activity in DeFi.

The way companies are stockpiling ETH is a lot like how Bitcoin grew in its early days, which is giving people more confidence that Ethereum could keep rising.

Standard Chartered thinks that as more institutions get involved and the ecosystem expands, Ethereum’s price has a real shot at going higher, especially since it’s not just a settlement layer but also the base for Layer 2 solutions.

And while Ethereum continues to gain institutional traction, the crypto space is also seeing fresh excitement from new, community-driven projects.

Born as the spiritual successor to the penguin meme wave that sent Pudgy Penguins surging over 580%, BPENGU brings the same unstoppable community energy, but now with the trust, clout, and scarcity of a token built right on Bitcoin’s momentum.

It’s not just another meme coin: it’s the evolution, engineered for speed, with a roadmap and ethos that capture the attention of news outlets and influencers alike.

Less than 15 days left in BPENGU presale

BPENGU’s presale is a tightly timed, fixed‑supply event with only days remaining, seeing $3.3 million raised and a vibrant community flocking to claim their spot before the doors slam shut.

Prices jump every two days, tokens vanish early, and the hype around a confirmed September 2 launch means the window to get in is closing by the minute.

BPENGU’s presale is structured with 15 stages lasting two days each, and a 5% price increase kicking in every 48 hours.

This design creates a ticking clock effect where tokens rapidly vanish as prices climb, pushing buyers to act quickly or miss out.

The presale started at an attractive entry price of $0.0010, rewarding early buyers with the potential for over 75% gains even before the token officially lists on September 2.

This confirmed listing date provides a high level of certainty and urgency rarely seen in meme token launches, guaranteed to draw focused investor attention as the deadline nears.

The presale’s scarcity model is sharpening interest further, leaving fewer tokens available at each new price level.

This means time is money: early buyers not only benefit from tokens at the lowest prices but also lock in early gains as the sellout stages progress.

 

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Ethereum ETFs see $729M in inflows, price nears all-time high

  • US spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds drew $729.1 million in net inflows on Wednesday.
  • BlackRock’s ETHA led with $500.9 million, followed by Fidelity’s FETH with $154.7 million.
  • Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick lifted his year-end ETH target to $7,500 from $4,000.

US spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds drew $729.1 million in net inflows on Wednesday, the second-largest single-day haul since launch.

BlackRock’s ETHA led with $500.9 million, followed by Fidelity’s FETH with $154.7 million, according to SoSoValue data.

Four other spot Ethereum ETFs also saw positive flows.

The latest surge follows record inflows of $1.02 billion on Monday and $523.9 million on Tuesday.

Over the past three days, Ethereum products have attracted more than $2 billion—nearly seven times the $330.9 million added to Bitcoin ETFs over the same period.

Wednesday’s ETH ETF inflows alone topped Bitcoin funds by more than eightfold, with BTC products taking in just $86.7 million.

Date ETHA FETH ETHW CETH ETHV QETH EZET ETHE ETH Total
13 Aug 2025 500.9 154.7 10.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.6 7.8 51.3 729.1
12 Aug 2025 318.7 144.9 0.0 1.8 4.9 0.0 0.0 9.3 44.3 523.9
11 Aug 2025 639.8 276.9 4.3 3.9 9.4 0.0 4.9 13.0 66.6 1,018.8
08 Aug 2025 254.7 132.3 7.8 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 26.8 38.2 461.0
07 Aug 2025 103.5 31.8 24.8 0.0 7.0 3.9 5.8 10.9 34.6 222.3
06 Aug 2025 33.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.0 -8.7 35.1
05 Aug 2025 88.8 0.0 0.0 3.6 5.2 0.0 0.0 -10.9 -13.4 73.3

Data from Farside Investors.

Ethereum’s rally has pushed its price up 2% in the past 24 hours to $4,775 as of early Thursday, within 4% of its November 2021 all-time high near $4,900, per CoinGecko.

The token is up more than 60% over the past month, triggering $127.4 million in short liquidations in the past 24 hours, according to CoinGlass.

Analyst raises price target to $7,500

Citing surging institutional demand, favourable regulation, and upcoming network upgrades, Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick lifted his year-end ETH target to $7,500 from $4,000, and his end-2028 target to $25,000 from $7,500.

He expects Ethereum to continue outperforming Bitcoin, forecasting the ETH/BTC ratio to rise to 0.05 from the current 0.039.

Kendrick noted that ether treasury holdings and spot ETFs have acquired 3.8% of all ETH in circulation since early June—twice the fastest pace of comparable Bitcoin accumulation.

Ethereum has received a boost from the US GENIUS Act, passed in July, which supports mainstream stablecoin adoption.

More than half of all stablecoins are issued on Ethereum, accounting for 40% of blockchain fees, Kendrick said.

On the technical side, Ethereum developers are working to increase Layer 1 throughput by 10x, a move expected to support higher-value transactions and fuel the growth of Layer 2 ecosystems.

 

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