Business

August, 2025

• 20 August

  Why Is Crypto Down Today? Key Factors Behind August 20 Sell-Off

  

  Cryptocurrency market experienced a sharp decline, with Bitcoin falling below $113,000 and Ethereum dropping to $4,210, dragging the global market cap down 1.5% to $3.9 trillion. Several factors fueled this sell-off, raising concerns among investors about the short-term outlook. First, Bitcoin’s retreat from its recent $124,000 peak reflects profit-taking after a strong rally. CryptoQuant analysts suggest this correction, typical of …
• 20 August

  From Tokens to Trades: AMTD Firms Debut Crypto-for-Stock Swap on Wall Street

  

  AMTD Group, encompassing NYSE-listed AMTD IDEA (AMTD), AMTD Digital (HKD), and The Generation Essentials Group (TGE), unveiled a groundbreaking crypto-for-stock conversion program, enabling investors to swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT), BNB, and USD Coin (USDC) for newly issued shares. Announced via a press release, this initiative positions AMTD as a bridge between cryptocurrencies and traditional equities on the New York …
• 20 August

  Fed Official Warns Staff: Keep Crypto Holdings to a Minimum

  

  Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman urged Fed staff to restrict cryptocurrency holdings to “de minimus” amounts, emphasizing the need to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain regulatory impartiality. Speaking at a policy review, Bowman argued that limited crypto ownership could enhance staff understanding of digital assets, but significant holdings risk compromising the Fed’s credibility amid volatile markets …
• 20 August

  Harvard Economist Eats His Words: Bitcoin Didn’t Crash to $100

  

  In 2018, Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff predicted Bitcoin would plummet to $100, citing its use in illicit activities and expected regulatory crackdowns. Seven years later, with Bitcoin trading above $113,000 after peaking at $124,128, Rogoff admitted his forecast was wildly inaccurate in a recent post on X. His mea culpa, reported by CryptoNews on August 20, 2025, highlights three miscalculations: …
• 20 August

  UK Crypto Regulations: Binance’s Nish Patel on Navigating New Rules

  

  The UK is shaping up as a key hub for cryptocurrency regulation, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) tightening compliance for crypto firms to prioritize consumer protection and transparency. In a recent interview with CryptoNews, Binance’s UK director, Nish Patel, a former FCA crypto asset specialist, shared insights on the evolving regulatory landscape and Binance’s strategic response. Patel emphasized that …
• 20 August

  Crypto ETFs Lose $1B as Bitcoin Slips to $112K — Smart Money Buying the Dip?

  

  Bitcoin’s price slid to $112,000, sparking nearly $1 billion in outflows from U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a single week, marking one of the largest withdrawals since their January 2024 debut. Data from Farside Investors shows BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led with $430.8 million in outflows on May 30, 2025, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC at $344.7 million …
• 19 August

  Bitcoin Developer Peter Todd Sparks Debate with $5K Meme Coin Endorsement

  

  Bitcoin Core developer Peter Todd ignited controversy after promoting a Joker-themed meme coin, “HAHA,” for $5,000 on X, triggering sharp price swings and dividing the crypto community. The August 17, 2025, post, which read, “One bad day… one good pump. Laugh your way to the moon. #HAHA,” caused the token’s value to surge 1,500% to $0.00008 before crashing 95% in …
• 19 August

  South Korea Orders Halt to Crypto Lending Amid Regulatory Push

  

  South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) ordered all local cryptocurrency exchanges, including Upbit and Bithumb, to suspend crypto lending services immediately, citing risks to investors and market stability, per CoinDesk and CryptoNews. This SEO-optimized, fact-checked article explores the halt and its implications. Regulatory Crackdown The FSC’s directive targets lending programs allowing users to borrow up to 80% of deposits (Upbit) …
• 19 August

  Chamath Palihapitiya Launches $250M SPAC Focused on AI, Energy & DeFi

  

  Chamath Palihapitiya, dubbed the “SPAC King,” filed for a $250 million Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) named American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp. A (AEXA), per SEC filings. The blank-check firm, set to list on the NYSE, will target artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized finance (DeFi), clean energy, and defense, aiming to bolster U.S. innovation. This SEO-optimized, fact-checked article unpacks the venture’s significance. …
• 19 August

  Pritzker Approves New Crypto Laws in Illinois, Hits Out at Trump’s Policy

  

  Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed two landmark cryptocurrency bills—the Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act (SB 1797) and Digital Asset Kiosk Act (SB 2319)—to bolster consumer protections amid rising crypto scams. Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump’s deregulatory stance, accusing him of letting “crypto bros” shape federal policy, per CoinTelegraph and Chicago Sun-Times. New Crypto Regulations SB 1797 mandates crypto exchanges …