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Altcoin momentum rises as crypto hits $4T, Trump signs GENIUS Act

July 19, 2025 |

Bitcoin’s dominance in the crypto market dipped to 61% this week, as Ethereum, XRP, and meme coins like Bonk and Floki surged, signaling a possible shift toward altcoin momentum. Meanwhile, Finery Markets was named one of the world’s top 300 fintech companies by CNBC and Statista, marking a significant milestone for the firm. In the U.S., President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law, creating the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins and signaling growing institutional support. The broader crypto market also broke new ground, with the total market cap surpassing $4 trillion for the first time—driven by ETF inflows, policy clarity, and an uptick in altcoin activity. On the policy front, Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order to open 401(k) retirement funds to crypto and other alternative investments.

Bitcoin loses dominance as altcoins surge, but altseason still not confirmed

Bitcoin’s grip on the $4 trillion crypto market is showing signs of weakening. The asset’s dominance fell from a recent high of 65.5% to 61% last Friday, as a range of altcoins posted strong gains. Ethereum rose 20% to $3,600, XRP surged 23% to $3.46 to hit a new all-time high, and meme coins like Floki and Bonk rallied over 45%.

Myriad Markets data shows nearly 60% of users believe ETH will hit a new record high in 2025. In past bull cycles, traders typically rotated into altcoins after Bitcoin peaked — a behavior driven by the search for higher returns. But this time is different: the rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs means institutional investors can now gain BTC exposure directly, limiting the need to diversify on-chain. Still, a macro catalyst such as a Fed rate cut could tip the balance. Current expectations suggest no move before September, according to CME FedWatch.

Altcoin momentum is growing but remains fragile. CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index briefly reached 47 last week before falling back to 43 — well short of the 75+ range often associated with a full-blown altseason. Institutional analysts like Maelstrom’s Akshat Vaidya describe the trend as “early signals” rather than confirmation. Until liquidity conditions change or Bitcoin decisively stalls, the market is likely to remain in a transitional phase, with pockets of altcoin strength rather than a wholesale rotation.

Finery Markets named one of world’s top 300 fintechs by CNBC and Statista

Finery Markets has been recognized as one of the world’s top 300 fintech companies in the latest CNBC/Statista ranking, a significant milestone for the company and its digital asset infrastructure platform. The ranking, based on an in-depth evaluation of over 2,000 companies against performance KPIs and sector-specific criteria, highlights fintech leaders across categories including payments, investing, lending, and digital assets.

Finery Markets earned its position within the “Digital Assets” segment, which includes firms developing tools and infrastructure to support blockchain-based applications. The recognition reflects Finery’s steady growth and expanding client footprint across 35+ countries. In 2025 alone, Finery Markets has reached record trading volumes and introduced several product enhancements to better serve institutional participants in crypto spot markets.

Trump signs GENIUS Act into law, establishing stablecoin regulatory framework

President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law on Friday, creating the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins in the United States. Officially named the “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins” Act, the bill mandates that stablecoins be fully backed by U.S. dollars or similarly liquid assets and enforces audit requirements for large issuers. Stablecoins must also adhere to specific operational standards if issued abroad.

Trump framed the move as a landmark win for American dominance in digital finance, calling the law a “massive validation” for the crypto industry. He made headlines during the signing by addressing crypto executives in attendance — including Tether’s Paolo Ardoino and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong — while also referencing the previous administration’s more hostile stance toward digital assets. The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support, though not without intra-party dissent and procedural hurdles.

The GENIUS Act sets the stage for a more mature and transparent stablecoin market, requiring issuers with over $50 billion in circulation to undergo annual audits. As of mid-July, Tether’s USDT leads with $162 billion in circulation, followed by Circle’s USDC at $63 billion. Analysts see the bill as the beginning of broader regulatory alignment in the U.S., with the potential to legitimize stablecoins as part of the mainstream financial system — and potentially boost institutional adoption.

Crypto market capitalization breaks $4 trillion for the first time

Global cryptocurrency market capitalization surpassed $4 trillion for the first time last Thursday, driven by strong altcoin performance and renewed inflows into digital assets. Bitcoin, with a market cap of $2.39 trillion, maintains just under 60% dominance, according to CoinGecko. Daily trading volume topped $260 billion, signaling sustained institutional and retail interest across both major tokens and long-tail assets.

The milestone came alongside bullish macro signals and regulatory clarity. Ethereum crossed $3,600, XRP hit a new all-time high at $3.62, and Solana climbed to $180. Altcoins like Dogecoin and Cardano also posted double-digit gains. According to BTC Markets, this reflects a typical late-cycle dynamic where capital rotates into higher-beta assets, but this time supported by stronger fundamentals and better infrastructure.

“The $4 trillion level represents more than just a psychological threshold,” said Kronos Research CIO Vincent Liu. “It signals a structural re-rating of crypto’s role in the financial system.” With ETFs gaining traction, regulation advancing, and institutional use cases expanding, analysts expect the next resistance to emerge near $4.5 trillion. However, headwinds like ETF outflows or macroeconomic shocks could still trigger volatility in the months ahead.

Trump eyes executive order to include crypto in U.S. retirement funds

President Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order that would expand Americans’ access to cryptocurrency and other alternative assets through 401(k) retirement plans. Citing sources close to the matter, the Financial Times reported that the proposed order would direct regulators to identify and remove barriers that prevent digital assets, gold, private equity, and venture capital from being included in professionally managed retirement portfolios.

The move would mark a significant policy shift and build on recent actions by the U.S. Department of Labor. In May, the department reversed earlier guidance discouraging crypto in retirement plans, calling previous warnings an overreach. If implemented, the executive order could accelerate institutional integration of digital assets into long-term savings vehicles — a market worth $8.7 trillion as of March, according to the Investment Company Institute.

Several states have already started incorporating crypto into public pension portfolios. Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin have disclosed holdings in spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Expanding 401(k) access could further legitimize digital assets as part of diversified investment strategies and attract new capital inflows from retail and institutional allocators alike. However, legal and fiduciary hurdles remain, and the proposal is likely to spark debate on investor protection and market volatility.

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The Digest | July 2024

The Digest | July 2024

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