Financial analyst Jeff Walton says Strategy’s odds of S&amp;P 500 eligibility hinge on Bitcoin’s ability to remain above $95,240.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy at 91% odds of qualifying for S&P 500 in Q2: Analyst

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s appearance on Capitol Hill Tuesday left 
risk-asset traders with a single, binary question: does the most interest- 
sensitive summer in years end with a crypto breakout or a macro-driven crash? 
In a prepared statement, Powell stressed that “inflation has eased 
significantly from its highs in mid-2022 but remains somewhat elevated,” 
adding that the Federal Open Market Committee is “well-positioned to wait to 
learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any 
adjustments to our policy stance.” Crypto’s Fate May Be Sealed In July For 
crypto markets already oscillating on every nuance of policy guidance, the 
message was clear: the next four weeks—anchored by the 12 July CPI release and 
the 19 July payrolls report—will decide whether July’s FOMC delivers relief or 
a reality check. POWELL: WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE MEANINGFUL TARIFF INFLATION 
EFFECTS JUNE, JULY AUGUST POWELL: IF WE DON&#8217;T SEE THAT, THAT WOULD LEAD TO 
CUTTING EARLIER — *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) June 24, 2025 Powell’s caution 
sits atop a rare public split inside the Board itself. Governors Michelle 
Bowman and Christopher Waller, both Trump appointees, have openly argued that 
tariff-related price spikes are likely to be “one-time shifts” and therefore 
should not stand in the way of an early cut—potentially as soon as the 30 July 
meeting. Seven of their colleagues disagree, laying out projections that keep 
policy unchanged through December. Powell, for his part, told lawmakers: “I 
don’t think we need to be in any rush, because the economy is still strong.” 
Related Reading: Crypto Bull Run Over? Here’s What A Top Trader Just Said 
Markets reacted by flattening the front end of the curve. Two-year Treasury 
yields fell to 3.806 percent, while the benchmark 10-year dipped to 4.285 
percent—both lows not seen since early May—after the testimony and a surprise 
cease-fire in the Middle East turbo-charged a global “risk-on” bid. Yet 
expectations for July remain finely balanced: CME FedWatch shows that traders 
have whittled the probability of a first 25-basis-point cut to roughly 19%. 
Crypto traded the cross-currents rather than the headline. Bitcoin, which had 
cratered to $99,000 on Monday, reclaimed $106,000 by Wednesday morning, 
mirroring the rebound in equities and high-beta currencies as the dollar 
slumped on falling yields. Ethereum, meanwhile, held above $2,400—even as 
Powell’s tone was widely described as hawkish. The broader crypto complex 
moved in sympathy, with BNB punching through $644 and Solana stabilising near 
$146. Related Reading: Crypto Gets A Green Light From Spanish Banking Giant 
Veteran traders on X distilled the stakes. Pseudonymous analyst Byzantine 
General wrote, “We got a lot of clarity now. All eyes on the July CPI print.” 
Nic from CoinBureau added that July “is in play—maybe—but nothing’s locked 
in,” as Powell’s testimony brought no big surprises. Meanwhile, Jim Bianco 
commented: “Trump appointees Waller and Bowman are suggesting a July cut. 
Powell is reiterating ‘no.’ Will the July FOMC meeting see at least two 
dissenters?” For now, Powell’s “watch and wait” stance has bought the FOMC 
four more weeks of optionality. If July inflation confirms the down-trend, the 
policy door swings open, and the next rally for crypto could morph into a 
full-blown melt-up. If it doesn’t, the crash could come just as fast. As 
Byzantine General put it, the market “got clarity.” What it did not get is 
comfort. At press time, Bitcoin traded at $106,892. Featured image created 
with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

Crypto Rally Or Crash? Powell Just Made July The Market’s Make-Or-Break

Eight major banks in South Korea are working on a stablecoin backed by the 
won, aiming to protect the currency from the growing US dollar dominance.

South Korean banks plan won-pegged stablecoin launch by 2026

In what looks to be the most dramatic decline in three years, Bitcoin’s 
hashrate dropped over 15% between June 15 and 24.

Bitcoin hashrate down ~15% since June 15, steepest drop in 3 years

Bluebird Mining is accelerating its pivot to digital assets with a £2 million 
funding facility to buy Bitcoin, timed just as it finalizes a gold profit- 
sharing agreement in the Philippines. On June 25, Bluebird Mining Ventures 
Ltd, a London-listed gold…

Bluebird Mining secures Bitcoin funding as Philippine gold deal nears completion

The Nasdaq-listed SharpLink Gaming is doubling down on its Ethereum treasury 
strategy with yet another major purchase. SharpLink Gaming has announced the 
addition of another 12,207 ETH (ETH) to its growing Ethereum holdings, 
spending approximately $30.67 million at an average…