Vincent Anthony Mazzotta Jr has pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to obstruct justice, which together carry a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Key player in $13M crypto Ponzi scheme pleads guilty

Bitcoin faced renewed selling pressure on Wednesday, falling 0.45% to 
$118,446.5 as traders braced for pivotal macroeconomic events. Related 
Reading: Bitcoin Heat Macro Phase Signals Market Sits Between Accumulation And 
Distribution This drop comes amid heightened caution ahead of the Federal 
Reserve’s July policy meeting and the looming implementation of steep U.S. 
tariffs on August 1. Despite a strong July performance, the flagship 
cryptocurrency remains under pressure due to profit-taking and broader market 
uncertainty. The decline follows a stretch of consolidation near the $120,000 
level, a psychological resistance zone that prompted selling from long-term 
holders and institutions. Even Strategy’s historic $2.5 billion Bitcoin 
acquisition, adding 21,021 BTC, failed to spark a rally, suggesting investor 
fatigue and risk aversion are taking hold. BTC&#8217;s price trends to the upside on 
the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Fed Decision and Tariff Jitters 
Weigh on Sentiment Investor focus remains fixed on the Federal Reserve’s rate 
decision, with expectations that the central bank will hold interest rates 
steady. However, analysts remain divided on the Fed’s longer-term stance amid 
calls for cuts by President Trump and signs of economic cooling. Market 
concerns are further amplified by impending U.S. tariffs ranging from 15% to 
50%, set to take effect at the start of August. Although tariffs don’t 
directly impact crypto prices, they influence global sentiment and contribute 
to increased volatility across risk assets like Bitcoin. Meanwhile, the market 
is also awaiting a White House report that could outline the U.S. government’s 
Bitcoin holdings and clarify its stance on establishing a strategic Bitcoin 
reserve. Altcoins Follow Bitcoin’s Retreat Bitcoin’s pullback echoed 
throughout the broader crypto market. Ethereum, the leading altcoin was one of 
the assets that made a dip, falling by over 2% to $3,781.5. Related Reading: 
Ethereum Price Could Rise To $9,000 This Cycle, Eyes Breakout Against Bitcoin 
This caused a ripple in the altcoin space with some of the major names 
recording similar drops: XRP fell 0.6% to $3.1290 Solana dropped 2.1% Cardano 
declined 1.6% Dogecoin slipped 2.2% $TRUMP coin shed 2.6% With volatility 
indicators tightening, analysts warn that a significant price move may be 
imminent as the market awaits the Fed’s outcome and macroeconomic clarity. 
Cover image from ChatGPT, chart from Tradingview

Bitcoin Drops Below $118.5K as Fed Decision and Tariff Fears Shake Crypto Market

Algeria has enacted a comprehensive law that criminalizes all forms of 
cryptocurrency use, exchange, and mining, aiming to protect the national 
financial system. Total Ban on Crypto Use and Platforms Algeria recently 
enacted a sweeping new law that criminalizes any form of use, exchange, or 
mining of cryptocurrencies. The move is reportedly intended to protect […]

Algeria Enacts Sweeping Ban on Crypto Use, Exchange, and Mining

A negative Coinbase Premium Index and the markets’ reaction to a disappointing 
Federal Reserve presser catalyzed a “big move” in Bitcoin price.

Bitcoin makes ‘big move’ after Fed rate decision, Coinbase Premium turns red

Jamie Dimon once called Bitcoin a &#8220;hyped-up fraud.&#8221; Now, his bank is rolling 
out direct fiat-to-crypto rails with Coinbase. The move signals a seismic 
shift in how Wall Street’s biggest players view digital assets. On July 30, 
JPMorgan Chase and…

JPMorgan builds a bridge to crypto with Coinbase integration

The central bank published its official interest rate decision on Wednesday 
afternoon after a two-day meeting to deliberate U.S. monetary policy. Split at 
the Fed: Powell Holds, Colleagues Push Back The U.S. Federal Reserve has 
decided to hold rates at the 4.25-4.50% level, according to the central bank’s 
official statement published on Wednesday afternoon. But […]