BlackRock Ethereum ETF hits $10 billion fast
BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) surpassed $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) within just 251 days of launch — making it the third-fastest ETF in U.S. history to hit that milestone, behind only two Bitcoin ETFs: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which reached $10 billion in 34 days, and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which did so in 54 days.
The ETF exhibited astonishing growth speed by doubling from $5 billion to $10 billion in just 10 days, a performance described by Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas as the “ETF equivalent of a God candle” — a sharp, upward surge in a short period.
ETHA’s explosive success reflects broader market dynamics. In mid-July 2025, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs attracted monthly net inflows of $4.4 billion to $4.7 billion, including single-day inflows hitting $726 million on July 3, $602 million on July 17, and $533.9 million on July 23 — often outpacing Bitcoin ETFs on the same days. ETHA now holds roughly 34.4% market share of all Ethereum ETFs in the U.S.
Driving this momentum are Ethereum’s growing institutional adoption and technological appeal. Its proof-of-stake consensus mechanism offers superior energy efficiency and aligns with ESG-focused investing trends. Investors are increasingly viewing Ethereum as more than a digital currency, but as the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract ecosystems.
BlackRock has also filed with the SEC to offer staking capabilities in ETHA — a feature that could generate additional yield for investors. The SEC recently clarified that staking rewards are income, not securities, clearing a key regulatory hurdle.
Even so, risks remain. Analysts at 10x Research warn of overbought conditions, rising borrowing costs for wrapped ETH (wETH), and leveraged DeFi platforms nearing capacity, which could trigger volatility. It’s also seasonally slow for U.S. markets during summer, adding short-term uncertainty. Still, historical trends suggest Ethereum performs strongest in Q4, with average returns of nearly 23.9%, versus about 5.6% in Q3.
Overall, ETHA’s rapid ascent underscores the impact of regulated spot crypto ETFs. NovaDius’s Nate Geraci notes that the three fastest-ever ETFs to reach $10 billion are now all spot crypto products, reflecting a turning point in institutional crypto investment via compliant vehicles.
ETHA’s future trajectory will depend on Ethereum’s price action, regulatory clarity (especially around staking), macroeconomic trends, and ongoing developer activity in the Ethereum ecosystem — but its historic start suggests it has established itself as a key gateway for mainstream exposure to decentralized digital assets.
Source: Decrypt
Ripple co-founder sent 50 million XRP amidst all-time high
Ripple co‑founder Chris Larsen transferred an estimated 50 million XRP, worth approximately $175 million, to multiple addresses between July 17 and July 24, 2025. Roughly $140 million of that moved to centralized exchanges, sparking alarm over potential insider selling amid XRP’s recent price peak of $3.65.
XRP plunged between 10 % and 17 % during the period, sliding from its local high to trade between $3.00 and $3.25before a modest recovery.
Analysts attribute part of this downtrend to the whale activity tied to Larsen’s holdings. On‑chain sleuth ZachXBT highlighted the timing, noting the transfers coincided with the all‑time high, heightening sentiment of profit‑taking.
Larsen-linked wallets still control over 2.81 billion XRP, valued at roughly $8.4 billion, representing about 4.6 % of XRP’s total market cap — this concentration continues to pose structural risk and centralization concern.
On-chain metrics offer additional warning signals. XRP exchange reserves hit a year‑to‑date high of 2.98 million tokens, suggesting increased selling intention. Meanwhile, the taker buy/sell ratio in futures markets remained below one (~0.94), pointing to growing bearish pressure.
Analysts highlight that unless buying volume picks up, technical support levels could give way and trigger deeper declines toward $3.22, $2.90, or even $2.60.
These developments raised broader concerns about insider risk and market credibility. Critics argue Larsen’s actions reflect “exit liquidity” for retail investors and erode trust in XRP’s decentralization. The timing, days after XRP’s ATH, triggered accusations that the co-founder deliberately sold at peak levels.
Yet, sentiment remains mixed. Some observers interpret the transfer as routine portfolio rebalancing rather than aggressive dumping. XRP still trades well above early‑2024 levels and continues to outperform Ethereum year‑over‑year. Market optimism around anticipated altcoin ETF approvals in 2025 also offers bullish potential.
In sum, Larsen’s $175 million XRP transfer has triggered a sharp price correction, fueled on‑chain red flags, and spotlighted concentration risk. Traders now monitor key technical thresholds while weighing investor sentiment — balanced between caution over founder holdings and broader momentum in crypto markets.
Source: Beincrypto
Tether blocks $1.6 million in USDT linked to Gaza terror network
Tether, issuer of the widely used stablecoin Tether (USDT), collaborated with U.S. authorities to freeze approximately $1.6 million in USDT associated with Gaza’s BuyCash Money and Money Transfer Company (BuyCash), a network suspected of financing terrorism. This measure was part of a broader civil forfeiture action led by the U.S. Department of Justice targeting around $2 million in digital assets allegedly used to support terrorist groups like Hamas, ISIS, and Al‑Qaida affiliates.
Tether acted swiftly once law enforcement flagged the wallets. The company not only froze the funds, rendering the USDT unusable, but also reissued the equivalent tokens to support asset recovery efforts. This response highlights Tether’s centralized authority and compliance infrastructure in enforcing blockchain integrity.
This incident is not isolated. In recent months, Tether has assisted authorities worldwide in freezing over $2.9 billion in USDT tied to illicit activity, spanning more than 5,000 wallets. Tether has cooperated with 275 law enforcement agencies across 59 jurisdictions, demonstrating a significant enforcement footprint.
Notable previous actions include blocking $6.2 million in Brazil via a Klever Wallet money laundering investigation, freezing $23 million linked to the sanctioned exchange Garantex, and seizing $9 million tied to the Bybit hack, all acknowledged by authorities including the DOJ and Brazilian enforcement agencies.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized this case as proof of blockchain transparency and enforced accountability: USDT transactions offer traceability that traditional finance lacks, enabling rapid identification and disruption of illicit funds.
Reactions have been mixed. Many observers praised Tether for acting responsibly and strengthening trust in the digital asset ecosystem. Others raised concerns about the centralized authority of stablecoin issuers, arguing that such control compromises the decentralized ethos of blockchain. However, Tether maintains that these actions are performed under legal orders and aligned with regulatory frameworks, such as OFAC designations and the newly enacted GENIUS Act in the U.S.
Importantly, the freeze had no noticeable impact on USDT’s market stability. The token continued to trade at around $1.00, with negligible fluctuations, indicating resilience despite enforcement activity
In summary, Tether’s freeze of $1.6 million in USDT linked to Gaza’s BuyCash network underscores the growing role of stablecoin issuers as compliance gatekeepers. While reinforcing the capacity to trace and block illicit funds, the action also reignites debates around the trade-off between centralized enforcement and blockchain decentralization.
Source: Coincu