Western Union&#8217;s stablecoin integration could revolutionize global payments, enhancing speed and accessibility while challenging traditional remittance models. The post Remittance giant Western Union looks to integrate stablecoins into its digital wallet offerings appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Remittance giant Western Union looks to integrate stablecoins into its digital wallet offerings

U.K. authorities have arrested two individuals and seized multiple crypto ATMs 
in connection with an investigation into an unregistered cryptocurrency 
exchange and suspected financial crime. According to a statement from the UK 
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the operation was carried…

Illegal crypto ATM network busted in UK, two under investigation

Marvin Bertin has raised concerns about the security risks posed by bridges 
and wrapped assets. He warned that these solutions introduce vulnerabilities 
that compromise Bitcoin’s security model. Bertin: Wrappers Are Worse In the 
rapidly expanding world of decentralized finance, cross-chain solutions like 
bridges and wrapped assets have emerged as popular tools to enhance 
interoperability between […]

Cross-Chain Crisis? Why Wrapped BTC Might Be Bitcoin’s Weakest Link

Bitcoin&#8217;s recent price movement reflects a pause in the broader uptrend, with 
the asset trading at $117,901 following a near 5% weekly decline. While the 
current downturn may signal a cooling of investor enthusiasm, on-chain 
indicators suggest the market may still have room to expand before reaching an 
exhaustion point. Notably, activity among long-term holders and derivatives 
traders reveals continued interest and potential for price volatility. One of 
the standout indicators drawing attention is the Spent Output Profit Ratio 
(SOPR) for long-term holders (LTH), which has climbed to a new high for 2025. 
Related Reading: Bitcoin Climbs, But NVT Indicator Sends a Surprising Signal 
SOPR Suggests Continued Room for Growth Before Cycle Peaks According to 
CryptoQuant analyst Gaah, this metric tracks the profitability of coins moved 
by holders who have kept their Bitcoin for more than 155 days. The latest 
reading shows that LTHs are beginning to sell at a profit, but the indicator 
has yet to reach historically critical levels associated with market tops. 
Gaah emphasized that although LTH SOPR has crossed the mid-range and currently 
sits slightly above 2.5, it remains well below the 4.0 threshold historically 
linked with macro tops in previous cycles. This implies that long-term 
investors are realizing gains, but not to an extent that would suggest market 
euphoria or widespread distribution. In past bull cycles, SOPR readings above 
4.0 marked the onset of significant corrections or cycle tops. The gradual 
increase in profit-taking could indicate that the market is maturing while 
maintaining upward potential. Gaah notes that investors should interpret this 
as part of the natural progression of a bullish phase, though risks of 
correction still remain. The ongoing accumulation and realization patterns 
from LTHs provide insight into how confidence and caution can simultaneously 
exist in market behavior. Derivatives Market Remains Active Amid High Open 
Interest and Bullish Funding Rates In a separate analysis, CryptoQuant analyst 
Arab Chain highlighted ongoing activity in the Bitcoin derivatives market as 
another crucial component of the current market landscape. Open interest, 
which represents the total number of outstanding futures contracts, remains 
elevated near $42 billion. This level, though slightly down from recent peaks, 
is still near historical highs and reflects strong trader participation. Arab 
Chain also highlighted the role of funding rates in shaping market sentiment. 
Currently, rising funding rates suggest dominance by long positions, 
indicating a bullish market environment. Related Reading: Hold On For Dear 
Life: This Bullish Bitcoin Metric Just Touched A 15-Year High When this 
sentiment is paired with high open interest, it may point to heightened risk 
of volatility, especially in an environment where leveraged trades are 
becoming more frequent. The analyst warned that a sudden price move could lead 
to widespread liquidations if funding becomes unsustainable, forcing exchanges 
to close out positions. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from 
Tradingview

Bitcoin Holders Are Taking Profits—But Is the Top Still Far Away?

Kaito, the AI-powered crypto data platform, has announced the launch of its 
Capital Launchpad, a new community-oriented crowdfunding platform set to go 
live later this week. According to a July 21 post on X, Capital Launchpad is 
designed to connect…

Kaito unveils Capital Launchpad for community-based web3 fundraising

Polymarket is returning to the U.S. after closing a $112 million acquisition 
of QCEX, a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse licensed by the Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission. The deal, announced July 21, grants Polymarket 
access to a fully regulated path back…