Welcome to this week’s Crypto & Blockchain Weekly Round Up — July 11th!
Every week we provide some of the top crypto news of the week.
Dive in.
🚀 Bitcoin has officially broken its all-time high — and the week’s headlines prove we’re just getting started. 🔥
From Wall Street to Main Street, momentum is building fast: 🏦 Bank of America named bitcoin the best-performing currency of 2025, while BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF shattered records, hitting $80B AUM faster than any ETF in history. 🇨🇳 China reopened crypto ownership, 🇪🇸 Spain’s BBVA launched Bitcoin services for retail clients, and 🇨🇦 Alberta’s Bow Valley Credit Union brought direct bitcoin access to Canadians. 🧊 Alaska’s $83B sovereign wealth fund is eyeing BTC, 🍎 Apple approved the first-ever iOS game with integrated Bitcoin payments, and 🏛️ BNY Mellon will now custody Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. Meanwhile, the tokenized RWA sector crossed $25B — and Tom Lee reminds us: 95% of investors still have zero bitcoin exposure.
The digital asset wave isn’t coming — it’s already here. 🌊
Let’s dive into what happened this week 👇
🚨 Top Currency of 2025 (So Far)? Bitcoin. 🟦💰
According to Bank of America’s latest Cross-Asset Winners & Losers report, bitcoin is the best-performing currency of the year, up 18.6% against the U.S. dollar YTD. That puts it ahead of the euro, Swiss franc, and even gold in the FX category — a major milestone for digital assets in traditional finance.
From an internet experiment to the world’s top-performing currency, #Bitcoin continues to prove its staying power in the global economy. 🌍📈
🔹 FX Top Performers:
Will institutions finally take this asset class seriously? 👀
🚨 Bitcoin Breaks Records Again — Fastest ETF to $80B
BlackRock’s spot #bitcoin ETF ($IBIT) has officially become the fastest ETF in history to surpass $80 billion in assets, doing so in just 374 days. 📈💥
Here’s how long it took others to hit the same milestone:
📊 IBIT (bitcoin): 374 days
📊 VOO (S&P 500): 1,814 days
📊 IEFA (Intl. Equities): 2,034 days
📊 IEMG (Emerging Markets): 2,089 days
This isn’t just momentum — it’s a signal that digital assets are rapidly becoming mainstream portfolio staples. Institutions are paying attention. Are you?
📊 Bitcoin Adoption Surpasses Gold in the U.S.
According to VanEck CEO Jan van Eck, more Americans now own bitcoin than gold — with 50 million holding BTC compared to 37 million owning the traditional metal. 🟠🏅
This shift marks a major turning point in the digital asset narrative. As confidence in "digital gold" grows, bitcoin is no longer just an emerging alternative — it's becoming a mainstream store of value.
What was once considered speculative is now being recognized as strategic.
🌏 BREAKING: China Reopens Doors to bitcoin Ownership
In a major policy reversal, China is once again allowing citizens to legally own Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 🇨🇳🪙
This decision marks a significant shift in one of the world’s largest economies — and could have major implications for global crypto adoption and capital flows. With over 1 billion people now back in the conversation, this move could reshape market dynamics across Asia and beyond.
China was once the epicenter of crypto mining and trading. Could it be poised to reclaim its influence?
🇪🇸 Spain’s BBVA Embraces bitcoin for Retail Clients
In another major win for crypto adoption, Spain’s second-largest bank, BBVA, has launched Bitcoin trading and custody services for all retail customers. 🏦🟠
This move by a traditional banking giant shows the growing institutional confidence in digital assets — and opens the door for millions of everyday Europeans to access crypto through familiar financial channels.
As regulated banks continue to integrate bitcoin offerings, the line between traditional finance and digital assets keeps getting thinner.
🍁 Canadian Credit Union Opens bitcoin Access to Albertans
In a landmark move for local finance, Bow Valley Credit Union has enabled direct bitcoin purchases for all Albertans — becoming one of the first credit unions in Canada to integrate digital asset services for retail clients. 🇨🇦🟠
This step reflects a growing trend: community banks and credit unions are stepping up where big banks hesitate, bringing bitcoin access to everyday Canadians through trusted, regulated channels.
As demand for digital assets grows, expect more grassroots financial institutions to follow suit.
🕰️ Tom Lee: "We’re Still Early — Think Internet in 1996."
According to Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, 95% of investors still have zero exposure to bitcoin, signaling just how early we are in the adoption curve. 📉➡️📈
“If you look at bitcoin wallets, compared to the internet, we're at 1996 levels.”
This perspective reframes the current moment: we’re not late — we’re pre-mainstream. As awareness grows and infrastructure matures, the window for early strategic positioning remains wide open.
💼 Alaska’s $83B Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes bitcoin
The Alaska Permanent Fund, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the U.S. at $83 billion, is now exploring bitcoin as a potential investment. 🟠
A fund spokesperson stated: “We see where BTC is going in 5 years.”
This marks a powerful signal from a traditionally conservative institution — and could open the door for broader adoption across public and pension funds nationwide.
bitcoin isn’t just for hedge funds anymore — it’s on the radar of sovereign capital.
🏛️ BNY Mellon Embraces Stablecoins as Custodian for Ripple’s $RLUSD
In a landmark move, BNY Mellon — a 240-year-old Wall Street institution — is now the primary custodian for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. 🔐🟦
This isn’t just another crypto deal. It signals that stablecoins are gaining serious legitimacy among traditional financial players. With full NY regulatory approval, RLUSD bridges institutional-grade infrastructure with blockchain innovation — and may be a domino that tips the rest of Wall Street.
Key implications:
The line between “old money” and digital finance continues to blur.
🏗 Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs) Break $25B Barrier
The RWA sector has officially surpassed $25 billion in value, with a 72% surge in asset holders in just 30 days. 📈🔗
From tokenized treasuries to private credit and real estate, RWAs are becoming one of the fastest-growing segments in blockchain finance. This growth signals a major shift: traditional financial assets are rapidly being brought on-chain — improving accessibility, liquidity, and efficiency.
As infrastructure matures, RWAs could become the bridge that brings trillions in traditional assets into the digital world.
📱 Apple Approves First iOS Game with Native bitcoin & Crypto Payments
In a first for the App Store, Apple has approved an iOS game with built-in bitcoin and crypto payment functionality — marking a major step toward mainstream Web3 integration. 🍎🟠
This milestone highlights how digital assets are being woven into everyday consumer platforms — not just finance apps or exchanges, but now gaming and entertainment too.
As crypto rails make their way into the App Store, the implications for user adoption and developer innovation are massive.
