This week in crypto saw institutional giants and traditional finance make bold moves into Bitcoin amid growing global uncertainty. As geopolitical fears rise and markets price in potential interest rate cuts, Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge asset came into sharp focus. Meanwhile, ETF competition intensified, regulators in Australia cracked down on crypto ATM misuse, and the Web3 community dealt with new security concerns.

It was a defining week for Bitcoin. Led by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, institutions poured billions into the leading cryptocurrency, signalling further confidence in its long term potential. Strategy added 245 BTC to its holdings, with Saylor doubling down on his prediction of a US$21 million Bitcoin price in the next 21 years. On Wall Street, Bitcoin ETFs attracted over US$1.5 billion in inflows as investors responded to a weakening US dollar and anticipated rate cuts. Japan’s Metaplanet also made headlines, purchasing 1,234 BTC and overtaking Tesla’s Bitcoin holdings in the process. The move cements Metaplanet’s place as Asia’s most prominent corporate Bitcoin holder, reinforcing a growing trend of international institutions embracing BTC as a reserve asset.

ETF momentum continues to shape the macro landscape. This week, Invesco Galaxy filed for a Solana ETF, bringing the total number of issuers seeking Solana exposure to nine. Bitwise followed suit by updating its DOGE and Aptos ETF applications to include in-kind redemptions—a structure allowing investors to exchange ETF shares for the underlying assets directly, which may improve liquidity and tax efficiency. The surge in altcoin ETF filings reflects growing institutional demand for diversified crypto exposure beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, despite recent volatility.

In Australia, law enforcement took a strong stance against crypto ATM misuse. Federal police identified over 90 high-usage crypto ATM users tied to ongoing scams. Among the flagged cases was a heartbreaking story of a 77-year-old widow who lost over AU$430,000 to a romance scam that exploited crypto ATMs to move funds anonymously. As crypto ATMs become a preferred method for illicit activity due to their accessibility and perceived anonymity, AUSTRAC is now tightening oversight on all operators of Australia’s 1,800+ machines. This enforcement wave signals a broader push to bring more transparency and compliance to the local crypto ecosystem.

Over in the hardware wallet world, Ledger announced it is sunsetting support for the original Nano S device. Released in 2016, many users questioned whether their legacy wallets would remain secure once firmware updates cease. While the company reassured users that existing devices would still function, concerns lingered about the long term risks of using unsupported hardware for securing digital assets. In parallel, Trezor issued a warning to customers about phishing emails impersonating customer support, urging users to be cautious of unsolicited contact and to double-check email sources. These updates serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance when self-custodying digital assets.

As the second half of 2025 begins, institutional interest continues to rise, bringing a mix of innovation, optimism, and regulatory attention. Bitcoin’s role as a macro hedge appears to be solidifying, with multinational firms and major investors treating it as a core part of their asset allocation strategies. At the same time, increased oversight and evolving user expectations are driving improvements in crypto infrastructure and consumer protection. With ETF battles heating up and Bitcoin attracting fresh inflows, the next chapter of crypto’s institutional era is well underway.

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• Galaxy Digital raises US$175M in new funding

• South Korean banks to launch won-pegged stablecoin

• Barclays to ban credit card crypto purchases