Author: Blockto Team

Canada has added another XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) to its growing list of crypto investment vehicles. On June 19, crypto asset manager 3iQ officially launched its new spot XRP ETF — trading under the ticker XRPQ — on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). XRPQ Launches With 0% Management Fee for Six Months The 3iQ XRP ETF (TSX: XRPQ) enters the market with no management fee for the first six months, giving early investors a cost-effective gateway to gain exposure to XRP. The ETF is available to Canadian investors through registered accounts and also accessible to qualified global investors, subject to…

Bitcoin remains resilient, holding just under $105,000 despite escalating tensions in the Middle East and hawkish rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. On June 17, President Trump sharply intensified geopolitical discourse by labeling Iran’s leader an “easy target” and calling for unconditional surrender. The aggressive tone sent global prediction markets into overdrive, pushing the odds of U.S. military action against Iran to 73% before August. Crypto Market Resists Full-Blown Panic Despite the political heat, Bitcoin only dipped 1.4% in the last 24 hours—an impressive display of strength in the face of potential military escalation. Analysts suggest this stability is not…

BlackRock has extended its Bitcoin accumulation streak, purchasing another $250 million worth of BTC on June 17. The asset manager now holds a staggering $70.63 billion in Bitcoin, according to on-chain data. This marks the sixth consecutive day of BTC accumulation by the firm and reinforces the ongoing institutional shift into crypto. BlackRock’s total inflows have reached $1.4 billion, with broader ETF momentum pushing the U.S. Bitcoin ETF market cap above $133 billion. ETF Market Captures 23% of Global BTC Volume The rapid growth in ETF assets reflects increasing investor appetite. As of June 18, Bitcoin ETFs account for nearly…

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are under pressure amid renewed geopolitical risks and a hawkish U.S. Federal Reserve outlook. Despite short-term headwinds, some analysts remain optimistic about a potential rebound in the second half of 2025. Fed Stance and Inflation Risks Cloud Outlook The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, but futures markets now reflect just one or two cuts in 2025, down from earlier expectations of three to four. This shift has raised concerns over sustained tight monetary conditions. “The combination of a hawkish rate outlook, slowing ETF inflows, and rising geopolitical risk has…

Europe’s first Bitcoin treasury firm is doubling down on its crypto strategy. Paris-listed The Blockchain Group has added 182 BTC worth nearly $20 million, boosting its total Bitcoin holdings to 1,653 BTC, valued at over $170 million at current market prices. Another Big Buy Amid Bitcoin Rally The new acquisition, finalized on June 17, was funded through convertible bond issuances totaling 18 million euros ($20.7M). Investors included UTXO Management, Moonlight Capital, TOBAM, and Ludovic Chechin-Laurans, each participating in different tranches. The execution involved Banque Delubac & Cie and Swissquote Bank Europe, while custody was handled by Taurus, a digital asset…

The future of fintech is increasingly tied to custom blockchain infrastructure, and according to experts at OP Labs, nearly every major cryptocurrency exchange and fintech platform will operate its own blockchain within the next five years. This shift is being driven by the success of Base, a Layer-2 (L2) blockchain developed by Coinbase using Optimism’s OP Stack, which allows Ethereum-compatible blockchains to operate faster and at lower cost. Base’s Success Sparks Industry-Wide Shift Base has quickly become one of the top L2 networks by total value locked (TVL). It allows Coinbase users to move assets like Bitcoin to Base and…

A global shift is underway as central banks move away from the U.S. dollar and embrace gold in response to growing geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and shifting trade dynamics. A new survey by the World Gold Council reveals that 76% of central banks expect to increase gold holdings over the next five years, a sharp rise from last year’s 69%. Gold Surges Amid Crisis Demand The renewed interest in gold comes as prices hit a historic high of $3,500.05 per ounce in April, fueled by safe-haven demand after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global financial instability. “Gold’s crisis performance, diversification…

Dogecoin (DOGE), the popular meme-based cryptocurrency, saw a sharp 7.5% drop in the past 24 hours, touching a two-week low amid rising geopolitical tensions and tightening monetary policy signals from major central banks. The token fell from $0.176 to $0.164 before stabilizing slightly above key support. Geopolitical Pressures Trigger Risk-Off Reaction The sell-off followed renewed conflict between Israel and Iran, prompting a broader risk-off sentiment across global markets. As expected, high-beta assets like Dogecoin were among the hardest hit. Meanwhile, expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at 4.25%–4.50% further pressured speculative markets, including crypto. These macroeconomic uncertainties…

JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce giants, is officially entering the global stablecoin market with bold ambitions to revolutionize cross-border payments. The move coincides with a major legislative milestone in the United States—the passage of the GENIUS Act, a federal framework designed to regulate stablecoins. Global Licensing Push to Disrupt Traditional Payments At a recent press event in Beijing, JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong announced plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in all major sovereign currency nations. The company aims to cut cross-border payment costs by 90% and reduce settlement times to just 10 seconds—a sharp contrast to the traditional SWIFT…

Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, has officially banned cryptocurrency ATMs, citing an alarming rise in scams targeting vulnerable residents. The decision makes Spokane the first city in the state to impose such a prohibition. City Council Moves to Protect Residents from Crypto Scams The Spokane City Council voted unanimously on Monday to pass an ordinance banning the installation of new crypto ATMs and mandating the removal of existing machines within 60 days. Council member Paul Dillon, who led the proposal, emphasized that these kiosks have “become a preferred tool for scammers” and that the measure is intended to “protect vulnerable Spokane…