Welcome to this week’s Web3 Digest from Magnet, where momentum meets maturity and crypto’s chaotic brilliance finds its footing. Bitcoin shattered its all-time high at $123K. The total market ca reached $4 trillion and climbing. Meanwhile, Washington made it official: stablecoins now have federal guardrails, and Wall Street is suiting up with XRP ETFs and tokenized dollars. From security breaches to skyrocketing volume, the data is loud and the signal is clear — this is crypto growing up! Let’s break it all down.
This week, the global crypto market capitalization broke past the $4 trillion mark for the first time in history, according to CoinGecko data. This milestone was driven by investor optimism following major regulatory developments in the U.S., particularly the passing of the GENIUS Act. The achievement marks a significant maturation of the crypto sector, from its speculative roots in 2021–2022 to its current evolution into a recognized asset class. The surge reflects a convergence of institutional and retail demand. Crypto ETFs, staking products, and increasing utility in real-world payments have all contributed to this unprecedented valuation. Analysts believe the rally could continue as key macro factors—such as inflation, regulatory clarity, and blockchain integration into mainstream finance—remain in play.
On July 14, Bitcoin surged to a record-breaking high of $123,153 before slightly retreating to around $119,750. This new peak represents a 27% year-to-date increase and was fueled by rising institutional interest and anticipation around regulatory clarity brought by the GENIUS Act. The milestone reaffirms Bitcoin's status as the leading digital asset and a global hedge. Market analysts credit the rally to a blend of factors: the rise of institutional Bitcoin ETFs, growing interest from public companies adding BTC to their treasuries, and increased long-term holding behavior among investors. Some forecasts suggest Bitcoin could hit $200,000 by year-end if favorable momentum continues.
On July 18, President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins), making it the first federal law to regulate stablecoins. The act mandates 1:1 reserve backing for all payment stablecoins, monthly audits by registered accounting firms, and transparent public disclosures. It also prohibits misleading language like "U.S. government guaranteed." The GENIUS Act is designed to protect consumers while encouraging innovation. It opens the door for U.S. and foreign institutions to issue stablecoins under federal oversight, with strict anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance requirements. The law represents a major milestone in the formal integration of crypto into the traditional financial system.
Crypto trading volumes surged last week across leading platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. This surge was not limited to Bitcoin, altcoins also saw heightened activity as investor confidence surged in response to the regulatory clarity and macroeconomic factors driving digital asset demand. Derivatives markets echoed this optimism, with an uptick in call option activity and a notable rise in open interest. Analysts report that traders are increasingly pricing in higher future valuations, especially in sectors tied to tokenized assets, institutional products, and regulated stablecoin ecosystems.
Institutional momentum in crypto is reaching new heights. Major U.S. banks including Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Citi, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs are actively preparing to launch stablecoins or tokenized bank liabilities in response to the GENIUS Act. These moves mark a pivotal shift in traditional finance's stance toward blockchain-based financial instruments. Meanwhile, XRP has become the focus of a wave of institutional products. In the U.S., ProShares launched an XRP Futures ETF, and Volatility Shares announced plans for a spot ETF. In Canada, 3iQ’s XRP Spot ETF has already attracted over $32 million in AUM. These developments signal growing institutional confidence in both altcoins and regulated crypto investment vehicles, reinforcing the industry's transition into mainstream finance.
Security concerns returned to the spotlight as two major crypto platforms experienced high-profile breaches. India-based CoinDCX suffered a $44 million hack, allegedly through a compromised internal server. The exchange assured users that customer funds remained safe while it conducted a full investigation. In a separate incident, Seychelles-based exchange BigONE was drained of over $27 million in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other tokens via a hot wallet breach. These back-to-back attacks have reignited debate around the robustness of security protocols among even well-established platforms, emphasizing the urgent need for improved cyberdefense across the Web3 ecosystem.
🧲 The crypto market isn’t just expanding — it’s evolving at full speed. From regulatory breakthroughs to institutional acceleration, this week marks a turning point in how digital assets are defined, adopted, and deployed. Infrastructure is solidifying, capital is flowing, and innovation is hitting critical mass. If you're serious about building or investing in Web3, staying ahead of these shifts isn’t optional — it’s essential. Stay informed, stay adaptive, and stay plugged in.
