Global markets retreated as the Dow Jones (-0.7%), S&P 500 (-0.84%), and Nasdaq (-0.91%) all closed lower, weighed down by disappointing US retail sales data, which fell 0.9% in May, the largest decrease since January. The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady, but its forecast may still impact markets. UK inflation eased to 3.4% in May, while China’s property market recovery stalled. Trade tensions loomed, with the US and UK aiming for a steel and pharma deal by July, and the EU spurning economic dialogue with China due to escalating tensions.
- The global crypto market cap decreased 1.6% over the past 24 hours to $3.28tn. The total crypto market 24h volume decreased 8% to $122bn.
- In the past 24 hours, crypto liquidations decreased 8% and totaled $320m, with 82% of them long positions. ETH positions made up almost 32% of all liquidated positions.
- U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $216.48 million in net inflows on June 17, down from $412.20 million the previous day, as Bitcoin prices fell 1.6% over the past day. BlackRock’s IBIT led inflows with $639.19 million, lifting its cumulative total to $50.67 billion and net assets to $71.42 billion. In contrast, Fidelity’s FBTC saw a $208.46 million outflow, while Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB lost $191.40 million. Bitwise’s BITB also saw $22.84 million in redemptions. Total trading volume across the 12 ETFs surged to $4 billion, while aggregate net assets dipped to $128.18 billion.
- U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs posted modest net inflows of $11.09 million on June 17, down from $21.39 million the previous day. BlackRock’s ETHA led with $36.71 million in inflows, pushing its cumulative total past $5.29 billion and net assets to $4.22 billion. Meanwhile, Fidelity’s FETH and Grayscale’s ETHE saw outflows of $20.22 million and $9.02 million, respectively. Total trading volume across the nine ETFs reached $528.37 million, while aggregate net assets fell to $10.05 billion amid a broader market selloff.
- Europol has shut down Archetyp Market, a major dark web marketplace with over 600,000 users and $287 million in crypto-based transactions, primarily involving illicit drugs. The operation involved coordinated raids across six countries and led to the arrest of the market’s alleged German administrator and several top vendors. Despite this success, blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs warns that the dark web ecosystem remains highly adaptive, with vendors increasingly turning to peer-to-peer apps like Telegram and Signal. Archetyp’s scale placed it alongside infamous markets like Silk Road, and its takedown highlights both law enforcement progress and the continued evolution of illicit online trade.
- Staked Ethereum reached a record 35 million ETH this week, now representing over 28.3% of total supply, according to Dune Analytics (June 18, 2025). The surge signals growing investor confidence and long-term conviction, with over 500,000 ETH added in June alone, noted CryptoQuant analyst Onchainschool. Accumulation addresses also hit an all-time high of 22.8 million ETH. The milestone follows favorable U.S. regulatory guidance issued May 29 by the SEC, clarifying that protocol staking activities do not constitute securities offerings. Lido accounts for 25% of all staked ETH, while Binance and Coinbase hold around 7.5% and 7.4%, respectively, with Coinbase now the largest validator.
- Thailand’s Ministry of Finance announced a five-year tax exemption on crypto income earned through licensed platforms, effective from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the move aims to promote Thailand as a global financial hub and boost crypto trading under SEC oversight.
- Gemini has accused the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of pursuing “trophy-hunting lawfare” in its 2022 lawsuit, alleging the agency’s enforcement division relied on a false whistleblower report from a disgruntled ex-employee to bring charges. In a June 14 letter to CFTC Inspector General Christopher Skinner, Gemini said the case was driven by enforcers’ personal ambitions and hinged on claims from former operating chief Benjamin Small, whom Gemini fired in 2017 over a multi-million dollar rebate fraud.
- The U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act in a 68-30 vote on Tuesday, advancing legislation that could establish a national framework for payment stablecoins. The bill moved forward without amendments to address concerns over former President Donald Trump’s ties to World Liberty Financial, issuer of the USD1 stablecoin. Despite Democratic objections, the bill now heads to the House, where it may face further scrutiny.
- Genius Group, a Nasdaq-listed AI education firm based in Singapore, has expanded its Bitcoin holdings by 52%, bringing its corporate treasury to 100 BTC, worth over $10 million. The company resumed its Bitcoin accumulation on May 22 after a favorable U.S. Court of Appeals ruling lifted a legal block tied to its merger with Fatbrain AI. CEO Roger Hamilton reaffirmed the firm’s goal of reaching 1,000 BTC and noted Genius was among the first NYSE-listed firms barred by a U.S. court from buying Bitcoin.
- Coinbase is seeking approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer tokenized equities, a move that could position the crypto exchange as a direct competitor to stock trading platforms like Robinhood, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
- Spain’s BBVA is advising its affluent clients to allocate 3% to 7% of their investment portfolios to crypto, including Bitcoin, citing improved performance with limited risk. The guidance, confirmed by BBVA Switzerland’s Head of Digital and Blockchain Solutions at a London conference, follows the bank’s regulatory approval in March to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading in Spain.
- Meta Pool narrowly avoided a major crypto exploit after a hacker used a vulnerability in its “fast unstake” function to mint $27 million worth of mpETH tokens but escaped with only $132,000 due to low liquidity and a rapid contract pause. The liquid staking protocol said its early detection system helped halt the attack, which drained just 52.5 ETH from Ethereum and Optimism swap pools. While the bug allowed unauthorized minting via the ERC4626 mint() function, all staked Ethereum remains secure. Meta Pool has paused the affected contract and pledged full reimbursement, with a post-mortem expected within days.
