Markets, Crypto and Culture Media Man

Markets, Crypto and Culture

July 25, 2025

ASX futures down 36 points/0.4% to 8640

Australian dollar -0.2% to 65.88 US cents

Wall St:
S&P 500 +0.1%
Dow Jones -0.7%
Nasdaq +0.2%

Europe:
Stoxx 50 +0.2%
FTSE +0.9%,
DAX +0.2%
CAC -0.4%

Bitcoin +0.6% to $US118,804

Gold -0.6% to $US3367.66 per ounce
US oil +1.3% to $US66.12 a barrel
Brent crude oil +1.1% to $US69.26 a barrel
Iron ore +0.8% to $US105.35 per ton

10-year yield:
US 4.40%
Australia 4.35%
Germany 2.70%

News

Cryptos Today: (Near Live)

Bitcoin $115,514.48 USD -1.89%
Ethereum $3,636.74 USD +1.97%
Tether $1.00 USD -0.05%
XRP $3.08 USD +1.39%
BNB $759.63 USD +1.06%
Solana $178.73 USD -1.70%
USD Coin $0.9997 USD -0.06%
Dogecoin $0.2263 USD -1.52%
TRON $0.3138 USD +3.94%
Cardano $0.7958 USD +1.82%
Wrapped Bitcoin $115,435.58 USD -1.80%
Stellar $0.4136 USD +0.68%
Bitcoin Cash $522.42 USD +5.13%
Sui $3.63 USD +0.90%
Chainlink $17.40 USD -0.81%
Hedera $0.2353 USD -0.94%
Avalanche $22.96 USD -0.92%
Litecoin $109.59 USD +0.25%

News

July 24, 2025

The crypto market nosedive

Market Picture

The crypto market took a nosedive, losing almost 4% of its market cap over the last 24 hours. Without Bitcoin's growth, altcoins, which had been driving the market upwards in previous days, found themselves on sale. Forty-eight of the top 100 altcoins are losing double-digit rates over 24 hours, while only three are growing.

The first cryptocurrency has been facing both a price drop and an outflow from ETFs over the past couple of days, while Ethereum continued to attract new capital to funds. Meanwhile, BTC remains stuck in a narrow range. At $117.3K on Thursday morning, it was on its way to the lower limit of $116K. A reversal to growth will be needed to stop the build-up of pessimism for the entire crypto market, where corrective sentiment is intensifying. If we look only at BTCUSD, a decline to $111K — the area of previous peaks — fits well into the pattern of a corrective pullback.

News Background

According to LVRG Research, institutional investors remain optimistic about Ethereum. There is an outflow of funds from Bitcoin to ETH, which often happens before a surge in altcoin growth.

Bitwise notes that the key driver of the Ethereum rally is high demand from ETFs and corporate treasuries. Since mid-May, Ethereum ETFs have attracted more than $5 billion in investments. Companies such as Bitmine and SharpLink bought 2.83 million ETH for $10 billion. During the same period, the network issued only 88,000 ETH.

According to Lookonchain, there is significant activity in the crypto market from large BTC and Ethereum holders, which may be due to a desire to lock in profits after price increases. EmberCN confirms the flow of large batches of coins to Binance, which are probably for sale.

The BNB cryptocurrency has updated its historical highs made last December and exceeded $800, taking fifth place in the CoinMarketCap ranking and pushing Solana aside. The growth may have been facilitated by the inflow of institutional capital into ETF products.

Upexi announced the acquisition of 100,000 Solana coins for $17.7 million at an average price of $176.77. Upexi's total reserves reached 1,818,809 SOL ($331 million), acquired for $273 million. (FxPro)

Cryptocurrency News

Market Trends and Prices: The global cryptocurrency market cap is approximately $3.85 trillion, with a 5.6% change in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin dominates at 59.6%, trading around $117,716.99, while Ethereum holds 11.4% dominance at $3,582.25. Solana is at $184.98, and XRP is also significant in the market. However, some cryptocurrencies like Cardano (-10.25%) and Solana (-8.14%) have seen recent declines.

Regulatory Developments: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the GENIUS Act and a stablecoin regulatory framework, both sent to President Trump for signing, marking a significant milestone for the crypto industry. These bills aim to provide clearer regulations for stablecoins and expand oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed optimism about working with new SEC leadership, hinting at a potential resolution to Ripple’s ongoing lawsuit by April or May 2026.

Bitcoin and ETF Inflows: U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen nine consecutive days of inflows, adding $403 million recently. Bitcoin is nearing all-time highs, with some analysts predicting further growth due to historical trends and regulatory optimism. However, short-term dips are possible due to bearish indicators below $115,000.

Ethereum and Altcoins: Ethereum has surged 65% over the past month, outperforming Bitcoin in spot volume as whales accumulate ETH amid altcoin rotation. BNB hit a new all-time high of $804.70, surpassing Solana’s market cap. Solana developers are eyeing a 66% increase in block capacity to 100 million compute units to boost transaction throughput.

Security and Scams: Ripple issued a warning about deepfake scams targeting the XRP community. Hong Kong police dismantled a criminal group using deepfake technology for fraudulent crypto schemes. Major exchanges like Binance and Kraken successfully fended off social-engineering hacks.

Innovations and Launches: MoonPay rolled out Solana (SOL) staking in its app. PancakeSwap’s Infinity DEX launched on the Base chain, potentially impacting CAKE’s price. Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is launching NFT cards inspired by his physical works.

Corporate Moves: PNC Bank partnered with Coinbase to offer crypto trading to its customers, signaling mainstream finance integration. JPMorgan Chase is exploring crypto-backed loans, and Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon are stepping into tokenized money market funds.

Market Sentiment: Posts on X reflect bullish sentiment, with claims of banks being allowed to custody Bitcoin and crypto, and payment providers like Klarna planning to integrate cryptocurrencies. However, these claims lack confirmation and should be treated as speculative. (Grok)

News

Pop Culture News

Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking/Sports; Media Man Group Dream Match Series

Million Dollar Man vs IRS
Michael Wall Street vs Billionaire Ted
Mr X vs Mr BTC
Mr Green vs Mr Cash
VKM vs Easy E
Vinnie Vegas vs Mr Corbin
Mr Corp Merch vs Mr Freelance
Masked Superstar vs John McAfee
Sid Justice vs Mr Blood Diamond
Mr Bluey Chipper vs Street Fighter - King Of The Street Stipulation
Mr Dotcom vs Mr Wiki
Mr Gold vs Mr Green - Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Khan vs Khan - Winner Take All Match
Mr Wolff vs The Cleaner
Mr News vs Mr Vice - U.S Market Footprint Stipulation

News

Cryptocurrency Movies

Documentaries

The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin (2014) Follows early Bitcoin adopter Daniel Mross, exploring Bitcoin’s origins, its volatile rise, and the community behind it. Great for understanding Bitcoin’s early days and its potential to disrupt finance.

Banking on Bitcoin (2016) Examines Bitcoin’s history, ideological roots, and impact on global financial systems through interviews with pioneers and experts. A solid primer for newcomers.

Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet (2020)

Directed by Torsten Hoffmann, this documentary dives into blockchain’s broader applications beyond cryptocurrency, addressing scalability and regulatory challenges. Ideal for those interested in blockchain’s transformative potential.

Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain (2018) Narrated by Rosario Dawson, it explores blockchain’s societal impact, from financial inclusion to voting systems. A comprehensive look at real-world applications.

Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It (2015) Traces the history of money and introduces Bitcoin as a decentralized alternative, critiquing centralized financial systems. Features interviews with crypto experts.

Deep Web (2015) Narrated by Keanu Reeves, this documentary focuses on the Silk Road marketplace and its creator, Ross Ulbricht, highlighting Bitcoin’s role in dark web transactions.

Bitconned (2024) Explores the Centra Tech crypto scam, detailing how three individuals defrauded investors during the 2010s crypto boom. A cautionary tale about unregulated markets.

Feature Films

Crypto (2019) A crime thriller starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth, and Kurt Russell. It follows a young anti-money laundering agent investigating corruption and cryptocurrency in his hometown. Critics note its exaggerated portrayal but praise its entertainment value.

Silk Road (2021) A dramatization of Ross Ulbricht’s creation of the Silk Road, a dark web marketplace using Bitcoin. It explores his rise and fall, blending crime and drama.

Dope (2015) A coming-of-age comedy-drama featuring Bitcoin as a plot device. High schooler Malcolm uses Bitcoin for a dark web transaction, reflecting its early association with illicit activities.

Bonus Mentions

Life on Bitcoin (2014): Follows a couple attempting to live solely on Bitcoin for 100 days, showcasing early adoption challenges.

Bitcoin Heist (2016): A Vietnamese action-comedy about hackers chasing a crypto criminal, blending humor and thrills.

Notes

Documentaries are generally more educational, focusing on Bitcoin’s history, blockchain technology, and real-world implications. They’re great for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Feature films often dramatize crypto’s association with crime or scams, sometimes oversimplifying or exaggerating for effect. They prioritize entertainment over accuracy.

For a deeper dive, check streaming platforms like Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or YouTube, where many of these are available.

News

Wall Street (Movie)

Wall Street (1987), directed by Oliver Stone, is a drama about ambition and greed in the 1980s financial world. It follows Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young stockbroker desperate to succeed, who gets entangled with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider. Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good,” drives the story as Bud is lured into insider trading and unethical deals, compromising his morals for wealth and power. The film explores themes of capitalism, loyalty, and betrayal, with Bud navigating pressures from Gekko, his father (Martin Sheen), and his own conscience.

Key Details:

Cast: Michael Douglas (Gordon Gekko), Charlie Sheen (Bud Fox), Daryl Hannah (Darien Taylor), Martin Sheen (Carl Fox). Runtime: 2h 6m. Genre: Drama/Crime. Rating: R. Box Office: ~$44 million (US).

Awards: Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Notable Aspects:

Gekko’s “Greed is good” speech is iconic, reflecting 1980s excess.

Inspired by real-life figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken.

A sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), continued the story.

Where to Watch (as of 2025):

Streaming: Available on platforms like Peacock or rentable on Amazon, YouTube, or Apple TV (check current availability). Physical: DVD/Blu-ray via retailers like Amazon.

News

Gold, copper, & silver: How metals are moving this year

Metal futures have made some pretty dramatic moves lately from safe haven gold to tariff sensitive copper. So let's take a look at the longer term trends. I'm Jared Blikre, host of Stocks in Translation. And I'm going to start by charting some of the moves in Dr. Copper because this is where we have the most zig and zags over the last 25 years. So this goes back to the beginning of the century and we can see right now, we're at $5.51 per pound. That is a record high. But if we go back to the beginning of the century, guess what? Uh we had a little bit of a slump in the wake of the dot com boom and then bust, but starting in 2003, we saw a big rise there. And that was as China actually joined the World Trade Organization or the WTO. That lasted into the global financial crisis. Then we had a pretty big bust in in Dr. Copper, and then we had another rise. And that rise was due to unprecedented stimulus, not only from the Chinese government, but also from the United States government, QE was in force, and then we saw kind of a strong dollar play. That weighed on this metal all the way into the beginning of 2016. The entire world, most of the world indices went through a bear market in 2015, and then 2016, we found the footing. And that was actually the year that Trump won, began his first presidency. And from there, we saw some zig and zags, and then we saw a shock into the pandemic. A couple of, a couple of years of deflation or a semi-deflation, disinflation, that caught up with it in 2022, but then it was off to the races again. And especially with the Trump tariffs now on copper, threatening to be threatening to be 50% on August 1st, we're seeing a lot of front running in this trade. Now, I also want to show you gold futures and I'm going to show you silver as well. And they follow a very similar pattern. We're not seeing the dramatic zig and zags that we did in copper, but we did see the same pattern of China joining the WTO, contributing to that huge rise in price to 1800, almost $2,000 an ounce by the beginning of the global financial crisis. So a little bit of a meltdown there. But in 2016 into 2018, we saw a bit of a rise into the pandemic, a little bit of a whipsaw there, and consolidation over a few years. Again, that 2022 bare market in US stocks that contributed to some deflation and disinflation globally, supply chain chain shocks came into force again, and then we saw this huge rise beginning in late 2023, and we are now at 3353. We've seen a high of as much as $3,500 per ounce. And gold is kind of unique among the precious metals and also the industrial metals, and this is because central banks have been a huge determining force in their buying of it. This is a bar chart that shows central bank buying in tons going back all the way to 2010. And what you notice here is the last three years, 2022, 2023, 2024, all of those had gold being bought by central banks of in the amount of over 1,000 tons. And so that's a pretty big dramatic increase from the prior years. And this has to do with the ongoing dedollarization in China, as well as Russia, but also a host of other countries, even some in western and eastern Europe. So this is a trend that we want to follow. Uh, I want to close out here with silver, and I'm going to just chart the price action. Again, very similar chart to gold and copper in terms of the big movements here. We saw a big price spike into almost $50 per ounce, and that was just as the global financial crisis was getting underway. And then the QE area in 2011, that's when we saw that high. Then we saw a dramatic, dramatic crash into 2016, kind of found its footing, saw a big squeeze in the early pandemic, 2020 was a great year for silver, but then we saw a little bit of a fallout. And again, silver is on the rise here at $38. It's still off of that $50 record high, but it is increasing very quickly. To round out the conversation, I want to just put on a table here. I have all three medals and just kind of grouping them together. I want to display how they are moving with their specific patterns with a trigger, and then to tell you which one of these is featured in these specific criteria. So here, under the pattern, we have acceleration. So that would be an economic acceleration. The trigger would be liquidity. And when that happens, we see all metals benefiting from that. And then when there's a safe haven scare, and that trigger would be a crisis of some sorts, you're going to see gold and silver outperforming the most, kind of leaving Dr. Copper behind. And then here's a bearish one, industrial drags, that affects copper disproportionately here, and the trigger there is typically a stronger US dollar because the US dollar surges when global global industrials tend to drag, and that's because the US is the least dirty shirt in the laundry basket of the world. And then finally here, we have a policy shock. This will affect all three medals, but especially copper and gold here. Um, arguably, the biggest reason is tariffs and debt, and we've seen both of those contribute to silver rising. So we could put all three in that basket as well. But when you put it all together, we have the perfect explosive mix for all three of these metals, including palladium and also platinum, which we didn't get to have time for, but all of these are experiencing huge thrust in 2025. And we'll have to see how these tariffs play out, especially on Dr. Copper with respect to that August 1st deadline. Remember, 50% there. So tune into Stocks in Translation for more jargon busting deep dives, new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Yahoo Finances website, or wherever you find your podcast. (Transcript from Yahoo! Finance podcast)

News

Best Quotes

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." — Benjamin Franklin

"Bottoms in the investment world don't end with four-year lows; they end with 10- or 15-year lows." — Jim Rogers

Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful." — Warren Buffett

Media Man

"Everything is a gamble" Greg Tingle, Media Man Group