Ethereum’s recent slump to $2,387 on Friday was short-lived, driven largely by speculation surrounding an investigation into Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer. This capitulation led to a staggering $390 million in liquidated positions, with $62.21 million attributed to Ethereum traders alone. However, amid this chaos, signs of a potential recovery are emerging from on-chain activity, igniting speculation of a bullish rebound.
Whale Activities Reach New Heights
Recent data from Santiment indicates a significant surge in whale activities on the Ethereum network, reaching a six-week high. As traders sought to capitalize on the dip, 6,428 new wallets were created on the platform, marking the largest single-day increase since September 5. This spike reflects the eagerness of large holders—those with over $100,000 worth of Ethereum—to accumulate the asset at a discounted price.
While Santiment cautioned that this accumulation may not lead to immediate price changes, it underscores the confidence whales have in Ethereum, even amid its recent struggles. The persistent interest from these large investors serves as a reassuring sign for the broader Ethereum community, suggesting a strong foundation for future growth.
Last Chance to Buy?
In the midst of this turbulent market, TradingView analyst Basictradingtv has labeled the current dip as potentially the “last buy opportunity” for Ethereum. According to their analysis, despite the altcoin king correcting nearly 50% over the past few months, it has managed to maintain a bullish market structure. Basictradingtv’s chart analysis indicates that Ethereum is still holding onto its critical support levels, presenting a promising outlook for those looking to enter or expand their positions.
The analyst anticipates a potential surge of 60% to around $4,000 if Ethereum can successfully retest its earlier bullish breakout. However, they also warn that a decline to $2,000 could invalidate this bullish thesis, marking that price zone as critical to watch in the near term.
Broader Market Sentiment
Analysts across the board seem to share a similar optimistic outlook for Ethereum. For instance, Ali Martinez has predicted that Ethereum could skyrocket to $6,000, citing the possibility of a bounce back to the upper boundary of its ascending triangle formation.
Currently trading at $2,464, Ethereum is down 6.67% over the past week, yet the underlying sentiment suggests that traders and investors are cautiously optimistic. As Ethereum navigates through this turbulent phase, the focus shifts to how it will respond in the coming weeks, especially with whale activities indicating a robust accumulation effort.
In conclusion, while Ethereum’s recent dip reflects broader market uncertainties, the increase in whale activity and expert predictions of a potential rebound provide a glimmer of hope. For investors, this could represent a strategic moment to engage with Ethereum, positioning themselves ahead of what could be a significant price rally. As always, however, caution and thorough analysis remain essential in this volatile landscape.
Web3’s future is being shaped by those who bridge technology and sustainability. As blockchain matures, real-world utility has become the currency of trust for both individuals and institutions. In this pivotal moment, VeChain CEO Sunny Lu offers a unique perspective on his company’s mission—and the larger transformation unfolding in crypto.
Sunny Lu is the CEO of VeChain, a pioneering enterprise blockchain platform recognized for its commitment to sustainability and mass adoption. BeInCrypto interviewed Lu in June 2025 to discuss the rollout of Stargate, VeChain’s new decentralization engine, and how the project’s evolving strategies aim to move beyond speculative hype into measurable impact.
Their conversation, held at the launchpad of VeChain’s most significant upgrade yet, illuminated ambitions for a truly democratized and utility-driven future, covering protocol upgrades, compliance, developer opportunities, and VeChain’s global reach.
The following interview reveals VeChain’s multi-layered approach, from grassroots ESG incentives to staking innovations that open decentralization to everyone. Lu makes it clear: this is VeChain’s renaissance—and its boldest step forward.
The Evolution of VeChain: Infrastructure, Adoption, and Sustainability
VeChain has gone through three major phases, each shaped by a white paper. The first, in 2017, focused on building the core infrastructure. By 2019, we had moved to enterprise adoption, working with companies like Walmart, BYD, and others on food safety and sustainability.
In 2023, we launched our third white paper, “Web3 for Better,” which marks our current focus: building sustainability-driven applications. We launched vBetterDAO to encourage people to take better daily actions—so far, we’ve reached 2.7 million users and over 40 applications.
Now, we’re entering what we call the VeChain Renaissance, the most significant upgrade in our history. Its first milestone is the Stargate platform, launching July 1, designed to enable decentralization at scale.
Stargate and the Road to True Decentralization
Stargate is the first step of the VeChain Renaissance. It includes major protocol and tokenomics upgrades aimed at true decentralization. Most users can’t run validators because they require technical skills. Stargate introduces a staking system using NFTs to simplify participation.
Users can stake VET into smart contracts, mint NFTs of different levels based on their stake, and delegate those NFTs to validators, without giving up control of their funds. This approach removes technical barriers and brings in real rewards.
Validators can earn up to 15% APY, and delegators up to 12%.
Importantly, VET and VSO have been deemed MiCA compliant by the Central Bank of Ireland since March 2025, and we also ensure our model aligns with SEC guidance.
Weighted Proof-of-Stake and Flexible Participation
We’ll support 101 validators, as we do now with our Proof of Authority model, but we’re evolving to include up to 500,000 delegators through a weighted delegated Proof-of-Stake system.
Legacy XNode and Econode holders can swap into new NFTs, while new users can mint from seven NFT tiers based on staking amounts. The system is flexible and deflationary—users can unstake and burn their NFTs anytime.
Sustainability as VeChain’s Pillar: Applications and Impact
It’s still a pillar. Our vBetterDAO fosters both startups and big corporations to build decentralized applications that incentivize sustainable behaviors. For example:
Markshaw and GreenCard reward people for using recycled mugs or buying organic goods.
EVN, using Tesla APIs, rewards Tesla drivers for eco-friendly charging behavior.
BYB (Build Your Body), co-developed with UFC, rewards users for physical workouts using motion detection.
These applications are highly engaging—some have over a million users with exceptional retention.
ESG, Greenwashing, and the Bottom-Up Alternative
We acknowledge that ESG can be politicized or used as greenwashing. Traditional ESG is top-down, driven by big corporations or financial institutions. We do the opposite.
Our approach is bottom-up, empowering individuals to make daily sustainable choices. These actions accumulate into real impact. Our vision complements traditional ESG with grassroots action and technology.
Opportunities for Developers
We offer several entry points:
DevRel support – Our developer relations team is ready to assist.
Grant programs – We incentivize developers to build applications aligned with our vision.
BCG Consultation Program – In partnership with BCG, we help top developers with go-to-market strategies and partnerships.
Ultimately, vBetterDAO acts as an incubator, offering developers everything they need to launch and scale.
Global User Base and Institutional Vision
We’ve mapped our users worldwide: the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa—you name it. We’re present almost everywhere, except a few sensitive regions.
We started in 2024. Johnny Garcia, formerly of Vanguard and Bitwise, joined us to lead our institutional strategy. We’re onboarding institutions not just as investors, but as validators.
These are long-term supporters, not speculators. They’re contributing to network security and aligned with our sustainability vision.
Everything is possible. We’re keeping our options open.
A Turning Point: Real World Utility in 2025 and Beyond
2025 is a turning point. Regulations are becoming clearer—MiCA in Europe, and increasing clarity from the SEC in the U.S.
Institutions are looking for real-world utility, not just narratives. That’s what we offer—real applications, real users, and real value.
We’re transitioning from a narrative-driven market to a fundamentals-driven one. It’s just like the evolution of the internet. I’m confident and bullish about where VeChain is headed.
Conclusion
Sunny Lu’s vision for VeChain is centered on accessibility, transparency, and measurable utility. Stargate’s NFT-based staking and global compliance drive VeChain to the forefront of decentralization.
Through sustainability initiatives and bold partnerships, VeChain continues to empower both individuals and institutions to generate tangible impact, one step at a time. As regulations clarify and technology matures, Lu’s confidence signals a new chapter where fundamentals and real-world value define blockchain’s next wave.
Welcome to the Asia Pacific Morning Brief—your essential digest of overnight crypto developments shaping regional markets and global sentiment. Grab a green tea and watch this space.
Tesla’s quarterly decline contrasts with gains in its bitcoin treasury, while a Japanese firm, Quantum Solutions, targets a $367M acquisition of BTC. Korean infrastructure leader DSRV secures funding, and Tron Inc. prepares Nasdaq ceremony, signaling institutional crypto adoption momentum.
Tesla Reports Steep Revenue Decline Despite Bitcoin Holdings Boost
Tesla faces mounting challenges as second-quarter results reveal the automaker’s steepest revenue decline in a decade, dropping 12% year-over-year to $22.5 billion. Vehicle deliveries fell 12.6% to 143,535 units while earnings per share declined 23% to $0.40, reflecting broader market pressures and competitive dynamics.
The company’s electric vehicle market dominance is showing signs of erosion, with its market share maintaining 46.2%, while GM is aggressively closing the gaps, advancing from 10.8% to 14.9% quarterly. Tesla’s core automotive revenue declined 16% to $16.66 billion, indicating structural headwinds that extend beyond typical cyclical patterns.
However, new FASB accounting rules provide unexpected balance sheet relief through Tesla’s 11,509 BTC holdings, now valued at approximately $1.36 billion. The regulatory shift allows quarterly fair-value reporting rather than historical cost basis, enabling Tesla to recognize bitcoin’s 42% appreciation since April directly on financial statements. This development highlights the strategic value of corporate cryptocurrency treasury strategies during traditional business cycles.
Japanese Quantum Solutions Launches $367M Bitcoin Treasury Strategy
Japanese AI firm Quantum Solutions announced plans to acquire up to 3,000 BTC over twelve months, establishing bitcoin as a strategic treasury reserve asset. The initiative positions the Tokyo-listed company as Japan’s second corporate bitcoin adopter, following MetaPlanet‘s pioneering approach.
Hong Kong-based Integrated Asset Management will provide $10 million initial funding through Quantum Solutions’ subsidiary GPT Pals Studio Limited. The acquisition strategy targets approximately $367 million in bitcoin holdings at current market valuations, representing a significant corporate balance sheet transformation.
CEO Francis Chow emphasized institutional discipline in execution, citing the company’s unique position to develop bitcoin-centric capital structures. The program incorporates cold-hot wallet segregation, internal controls, and comprehensive audit frameworks under Hong Kong’s regulatory clarity.
This strategic pivot reflects broader institutional recognition of bitcoin’s role in inflation hedging and monetary policy risk mitigation across global markets.
South Korean blockchain infrastructure firm DSRV raised approximately $12 million in Series B funding despite challenging investment conditions. Major domestic investors including Intervest and NICE-SK Securities participated in the initial round, with additional institutional funding planned next month.
DSRV operates infrastructure across 70+ global blockchain networks, managing over $3 billion in digital assets while ranking among top-10 validators worldwide. The company reported $7.8 million annual revenue with $2.3 million net profit, demonstrating sustainable profitability in volatile markets.
The funding validates DSRV’s expansion into stablecoin and payment infrastructure services. Holding domestic VASP licensing in South Korea, the company prepares for aggressive global expansion across US, Japanese, and African markets while scaling custody operations and blockchain development capabilities.
Tron Inc. Set to Ring Nasdaq Opening Bell Thursday
Tron Inc. will ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell on Thursday, marking a strategic transformation toward blockchain-integrated treasury operations. Justin Sun, TRON Blockchain founder and Global Advisor, will lead the ceremony from Times Square’s MarketSite.
As the publicly traded entity holding the largest TRON token reserves, the company represents institutional convergence between traditional equity markets and decentralized finance infrastructure. CEO Rich Miller emphasized building shareholder value through strategic innovation.
Beyond blockchain treasury holdings, Tron Inc. maintains diversified operations manufacturing custom merchandise for major theme parks including Disney and Universal, creating a hybrid business model bridging entertainment and digital assets.
